Handyman 022016

+#*%

a cute cat basket

awesome storage
big bold blooms
Introducing the worlds
Combined pool gate latch and electronic alarms
VISUAL
unlatched alarm
AUDIBLE
unlatched alarm
Locked/ Unlocked
indicator
2-YEAR WARRANTY ON ALARM UNIT
F/L 4150123
BUILDERS HARDWARE AISLE

safest child gate latch
Because you cant turn your back for a second
World's only combined gate latch & electronic alarms

Emits a single beep upon each gate entry/exit
Full alarm mode only if left open 15+ seconds
Quick & easy to install no wires, no special tools
Can be rekeyed to match existing doors
Long-life, replaceable lithium battery
Australian Good Design Award winner 2015
Watch video or more information: www.magnalatchalert.com.au

FEBRUARY
ISSUE
128
20
page
70
page
62
This issue Renovate
13 HANDY STUFF 20 HAMPTONS STYLE
page Cool off in the pool and stay safe An original Queenslander gets
35 with these must-have accessories a classic American makeover
page
54
18 BUYERS GUIDE 28 SPACES FOR KIDS
page Find the best adhesives, llers Create bedrooms on a budget
120 and sealants for your DIY jobs for toddlers, tweens and teens
page
28 35 KITCHEN MAGIC
One room gets four different
page
20
treatments to suit all lifestyles
46 UPDATE YOUR LAUNDRY

Design a space that is sleek,
functional and big on storage
page page page

98 128 83
COVER IMAGE BUNNINGS
page 98
Subscribe
to Handyman p131
page 136
48
83
Outdoor Build Garden

48 INSTALL A CLASSIC DECK 83 80S GREATS 110 THIS MONTH
How to choose and lay boards Three retro furniture projects Water smarter, sow autumn vegies
and enjoy the end of summer
54 REFINISH A DECK 96 JIGSAW TABLETOP
Make old timber look like new Get creative with oor swatches 114 PLACEMENT PERFECTION
Give your plants the right spot in
58 FROM BARE TO BRILLIANT the garden for a lush landscape
New surfaces bring a patio to life Decorate 120 HAVE HERBS AT HAND
62 RED-BRICK WALKWAY 98 UPCYCLE AND SAVE CASH Grow culinary herbs and freeze
Lay a path using reclaimed bricks or dry the excess for winter use
Make over preloved homewares
66 PAVE A PATIO 128 THE BOLD AND
104 FEATURE WALL THE BEAUTIFUL
Create an outdoor living area DIY
Use paint or wallpaper for effect Add dramatic-looking plants for
68 POWER CLEAN PAVING exotic colour and a tropical touch
The best tools to revive pavers
136 NAME THAT FLOWER
70 COOL & SHADY Test your plant knowledge with
Smart ways to beat the heat our fun pop quiz
20
page 1
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OF THE MONTH tend to be swayed by

the look and feel of the kitchen.
are put together, and seeing them in
action helps you visualise the process.
In this issue, we feature a house
where the existing kitchen was totally Project makers
transformed with surface treatments On weekends, Chief subeditor Amanda
for under $1000, on page 35. Then Shaw and friend Tracy Maryon upcycle
three new kitchens were installed furniture and household items, giving
using the same footprint. them a new lease of life.
The variety of styles, budgets and They nd pieces at op-shops or on
options will inspire you to see what council clean-up days, then transform
ABOVE-DOOR is achievable in your own home. and sell them at the local markets, truly
turning trash into treasure. On page
SHELVING DIY made easy 98, they show us their latest creations
Every month, Handyman offers lots of and tell us how to get the look.
great building projects, home repairs, Also in this issue, Handyman project
decorating ideas and gardening advice, maker Gun Arvidssen has designed
but now we give you much more. three fantastic pieces of furniture
Check out our website for inspiring inspired by pop culture of the 1980s.
how-to videos on projects ranging See page 83 to check them out.
from building a deck and painting like Enjoy the issue,
a pro to installing a built-in BBQ and
making a hanging basket.
UNDER-SINK Weve also lmed life hacks,
STORAGE showing quick home DIY problem
solvers. And for more helpful content,
Like HandymanMagazine we point you to videos created by
on Facebook for more tips Bunnings team members on topics MANAGING EDITOR
covered in the issue. LEE DASHIELL
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Handyman.net.au FEBRUARY 2016 7

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POOL & BEACH
ESSENTIALS
Beat the heat and cool off in the water
HANDY with these must-have accessories
STUFF WORDS ASHLEIGH PERRIOTT
Tot towel
Water wicthktheebirg 150cm fringed Bambury Round etPraninted d Find a fun way to entice kids out
of the pool at the end of the day
f wi rb
Dr y yourself of o colour ways, So
ac h To we l, $7 5. Available in tw wi pe of f water.
with the delightful 3 Sprouts
Tulum Be
m ak in g it a lu xurious way to Monkey Hooded Towel, $43. Your
cotton,
Aqua, its 10 0% toddler will love being wrapped
.co m .a u
bambury up in this soft and cosy terry
towelling and cotton towel.
zanui.com.au
Pack n protect
Store pool toys and other gear in
a Keter 390L Glenwood Outdoor
Storage Box, $119, to protect
them from the harsh elements.
An automatic mechanism assists
opening and closing on this
UV-stable polypropylene vessel.
outstore.com.au
Sun soaker
Pad a chair with a Mojo Grey
Sunlounge Cushion, $55. Made
of UV-resistant and showerproof
spun polyester, it will stand the
test of time in an Aussie yard. It
measures 530 x 50 x 1980mm and is
a universal t for pool chairs.
bunnings.com.au

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HANDY STUFF
Merry melon
Embrace a summer theme with
the fresh and fruity look of the
Sunny Life Inatable Watermelon
Ball, $19. It measures 350mm
in diameter and is perfect for
tossing around at a pool party
with the kids on a hot day.
top3.com.au
Splash sport
Challenge your teens to a rowdy
round of Wahu Pool Party Pool
Basketball, $40. The kit is easy
to inate and deate for fast
set up and storage. Suitable
for kids over the age of ve, it
measures 29 x 31 x 8.4cm in size.
wahu.com.au
Beach babe
Make your mini-mes day with
the Young Ones Sand and Water
Table, $25. Designed for children
aged two and over, it has two
compartments for sand and
Drifting dfobynouatting around in their favourite tastytatrbleae rin

water, plus 14 pieces to play with,
t, a Junior
including buckets and spades.
of g comes
ina
Let the kids cool kles, this 80cm target.com.au
9. Co ve re d in frosting and sprin ad ul t 120cm size, $3
9.
Donut, $2
er ry. Its al so available in an
Strawb
in Chocol ate or
in al do nu t.com.au
theorig
Fintastic fun
Mimic a mermaid all day long
with the Finis Mermaid Swim Fin,
$32. A quick-release Velcro strap
adjusts around the feet to t
shoe sizes 1-7 for kids aged six
and over. Its available in three
colours, blue, pink and purple.
nisinc.com

HANDY STUFF
Backyard basic
Take charge of your kids safety
in the pool with the Sandleford
450 x 600mm Pool Resuscitation
Chart Plastic Sign, $31. Durable
and UV resistant, it wont fade,
leaving clearly visible life-saving
instructions on the fence.
sandleford.com.au
Little lifesaver
Keep children aoat in the
swimming pool or at the beach
with a Floaties Swim Vest, $30.
Available in both a buttery
and spaceship design, this vest
features a tamper-proof safety
buckle and zipper loop.
toysrus.com.au
Quality check
Assess the levels of free chlorine,
pH, water hardness and total
alkalinity to help prevent setting
off sensitive skin with the Hy-Clor
4-in-1 Pool Test Kit, about $43.
Secure in a compact blue storage
box, there are rells available.
hyclor.com.au
Speed shutter
Make sure the pool gate snaps
shut swiftly with the D & D
Gate guarerdt Toiap Punll Safety Gate Latch-Alarm, $195, isLEkeD y

Technologies KwikFit Self-closing
Pool Safety Hinge, $10. Made
of super-strong engineered
The MagnaLatc
h Al alone. Flashing
ds en te rin g the pool area
polymer and stainless steel, it lockable and st
op s ki been left open.
al er t yo u to wh en the gate has
wont rust, bind, sag or stain. lights and a beep
au.ddtechglobal.com l.com
au.ddtechgloba
16 FEBRUARY 2016 Australian Handyman

Gate security you can see and hear
Vertical Pull model ideal for
FRONT, SIDE, PERIMETER AND PET GATES
NEW
VISUAL
unlatched
alarm
NEW
AUDIBLE
unlatched
alarm
Emits a single beep upon each gate entry/exit

Full alarm mode only if gate left open 15+ seconds
Quick & easy to install no wires, no special tools
Locked/Unlocked visual indicator
Magnetically triggered latching safe & reliable
F/L 4150125 Can be rekeyed to match existing doors
Combined security gate latch with electronic alarms

PET GATES SIDE GATES FRONT GATES
www.magnalatchalert.com.au
ADHESIVES
& FILLERS
BUYERS Gel grip

GUIDE Bond anything back together
with extra-strong Loctite
Go2 Gel, $8 for 18ml.
Tradie trick
Go pro with Dunlop Builders
Bond, complete with self-mixing
nozzle, $28 for 254ml. Screw shield
Secure screws with Loctite
222 Threadlocker Super
Screw Lock, $14 for 10ml.
Damp dam
Patch up holes in the kitchen
or bathroom with ready-to-use
Sika Filler 107, $14 for 500ml.
Speed stick
Cornice cure Tackle repair jobs with
Sika MaxTack Construction Foam ller
Install or repair cornices
Adhesive, $11 for 300ml. Close large, irregular holes
fast with Gyprock Pre-mixed
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Cornice Cement, $26 for 6kg.
Foam, about $16 for 390g.
Hole helper
Keep Earls Powder Putty
Multi-Purpose Filler on hand
to hide holes, $9 for 500g.
PICTURE (BACKGROUND) ISTOCK

Get the job done right with this round-up of glues,
llers and sealants for every DIY application
WORDS ASHLEIGH PERRIOTT
Tile tack
Replace tiles in wet areas with
Dunlop Tile-All Plus adhesive
and sealer, $21 for 310ml. Crystal clear
Waterproof windows with Fresh face
Selleys Clear Silicone Glass Revamp dingy tiling in one
Sealant, about $11 for 310g. day with Davco Rejuvenation
Grout, about $27 for 1.7kg.
Builder basic
Put a project together with
Poly Ultra Nails Construction
Adhesive, about $3 for 320g.
Brick buddy Strong seal

Weatherproof joints with
Fix cracks or crevices in
SikaSeal Roof and Gutter
brickwork with Selleys Mortar
Works, $16 for 440g.
Water watcher Silicone Sealant, $8 for 300ml.
Protect bathrooms with Davco
Green K10 Plus Waterproong
Membrane, $83 for 4L.
Wet worker
Seal joints or cracks under
water with Dunlop Roof, Gutter
& Pond Repair, $15 for 310ml.

HAMPTONS
A Queenslander gets a transatlantic
renovation that looks right at home
WORDS SITA SIMONS
This 1880s Brisbane home

required serious attention.
It was dark and cold, and in
need of renovations typical of the
many Queenslanders in the area.
Theres a lot to love about
a Queenslander, but the design is
essentially awed, says architect
Claus Ejlertsen of Baahouse
+ Baastudio (baastudio.com.au).
The instantly recognisable
elements of the wraparound
verandahs and elevation on stilts
are actually inefcient for airow.
The rooms are closed off
and dark, and the corrugated
roofs and thin timber walls are The deck was clever ly
integr ated into the livi
poor insulators, he says. ng space to bring the
outdoors in.

RENOVATE
nse of the roof.
Dormer windows break up the expa
Design focus
A Queenslanders facade is heritage
listed, but clever architectural design
will keep the character intact while
upgrading for todays requirements.
With this property, the sloping
block meant it had no street appeal. So
the landscaping at the front was tackled
rst to create a level platform for the
house to sit on, with the elevation
now only visible from the back.
The feature that had the biggest
impact overall was the roof.
It was obvious something elegant
and effective had to be done with the
roof. As its visible from the street, it
was a dominating feature, says Claus.
We were probably one of the rst in
Brisbane to use shingles. This American
bitumen product is used widely in Cape
PICTURES DKP (DARREN KERR PHOTOGRAPHY) DESIGN BAAHOUSE + BAASTUDIO
Cod and Hamptons style architecture,

and from that decision, the direction
we were going to take became clear.
The coastal style

of classic Hamptons
design is a perfect
t for Australia
and the bones of
a Queenslander

BUDGET TIP
Get a quote from three
builders and consult with
your architect as this
Floorplan flip could potentially save you
Referencing the elevation of the old
thousands of dollars. ABOVE An intimate dining nook
Queenslander, the main living and was created off the hallway.
dining areas and kitchen are upstairs. BELOW In the living area, sliding
While most renovations put living doors opening onto the deck can
areas at ground level with the bedrooms be left open for most of the year.
above, working around the limitations
of the plot realised the most successful
resolution for this house.
There were a couple of issues here.
The slope from the front to the back
resulted in a meagre yard. It was dark
downstairs with at 2.7m ceilings,
making it impossible to get that vaulted
space we wanted to create, says Claus.
Off the hallway, there is a dining
room cum library, as well as the master
bedroom. The living areas and kitchen
form the rest of the space.
The original living area was small
and the verandah took up a lot of
the footprint of the house, so the
deck was integrated into the living
room to create an expansive space.

RENOVATE
te ltered light.
ection from the weather and crea
Plantation shutters provide prot
Opening up
An open-air void provides a covered
link between the lower and upper
levels and houses the timber sliding
doors on the deck when they are open.
Windows are a feature of this
renovation and the original single
casements were changed to double
hung style to allow in more light.
In the bedrooms, extra insulation
is achieved with thick carpeting
and by converting the existing single
skin walls to double skin, with
insulation batts in between.
In the main bathroom, the use
of materials is simple and the focus is
on the details and nishes.
Using reective surfaces such as
large mirrors and glossy stone creates
light and depth and adds to the feeling
of luxury, says Claus.
A lot of the success of a bathroom
is in the layout, and its always worth
rearranging it if its not working.
But in this case, we worked with the
existing room and windows.
A bench seat was added to the exis

ting bay window in this guest room
Tiling right up to .
the ceiling in the

bathroom makes the
space appear bigger
te a luxurious bathroom.
Fresh white and black accents crea

Kitchen centrepiece
Flowing off from the living area, the
kitchen is the showpiece of the house.
Claiming over 6.5 x 5m of oorspace,
every detail was carefully planned.
We spent months getting the
cabinetry design right, as its such an
important feature of this look.
It was all custom-made and the
style is constant throughout the house,
with the detailed panelling and shell
drawer handles. It extends right up to
picture rail height, with a mix of solid
and glass-panelled doors, says Claus.
The original picture rail was ble.
s are topped with glos sy black mar
retained and bulkheads built around The oversized island and benchtop
the cabinetry for the continuity,
which is really effective, he says.
The three lights are a classic
addition and, overall, while very
detailed, the nish isnt fussy. This is
key to achieving the Hamptons style.
DESIGN TIP
To create more intimacy
in an open-plan, eat-in
kitchen and allow for
better lighting, keep the
ceiling height low.
Dark chocolate-coloured
engineered hardwood flooring in
the living areas adds warmth
RENOVATE
e and has become a feature.
The original staircase is still in plac
ABOVE In winter, the sliding

doors can be closed to give
a cosy environment, without
sacricing the views.
BELOW A nautical theme for the
kids rooms works with the style.
Boys bunkers
The downstairs was turned into
a space for the owners sons. They
each have a large bedroom with
a walk-in robe and ensuite.
Theres also a mud room, another
traditional American feature, where they
can take off dirty shoes and keep sports
equipment, as well as a rumpus room,
which provides a casual space.
PICTURES AGENCY

timber weatherboards.
ds were replaced with horizontal
The Queenslanders vertical boar
BUDGET TIP
Know where to save and
where to spend. While an
addition such as a pool may
seem like a luxury, it adds
to the enjoyment value.
Backyard bliss
The original backyard was a sloping
site, and measured only 6m to the
boundary fence. So it was levelled and
a swimming pool installed, opening
up the space and giving it purpose.
In a way, we have created two
backyards in doing this. A usable area
for the kids and their friends, with the
deck above where the adults can relax
and watch over them, says Claus.
Tall louvres, crisp white paint
and pendant lighting make the high
vaulted void joining the two levels
a pleasant and functional addition,
rather than it being just a dead space.
The footprint of the

house remains the
same, but the new
design maximises
space and light

RENOVATE
Garage revamp Whatever we did with the house,
A common feature of a Queenslander we replicated on the carport. This
is the carport located at the front of actually makes it disappear and the
the property, with its purpose purely house remains the standout feature.
practical rather than aesthetic. When you walk round this house,
The problem with a carport at the you dont feel like theres been a huge
front is that it tends to take over, or renovation. It looks complementary
dictate the property style, says Claus. and natural, and that is I think a great
The only way to enhance and indication of success, says Claus.
integrate what was essentially an ugly Its a true enhancement of what
addition was to turn it into a cottage. was already built, which is about ABOVE Two formal stone planters form
And while used for parking, it can conguring the rooms in the right striking features in the levelled front yard.
be easily converted into a workshop, positions, creating comfortable spaces BELOW The cleverly renovated carport at
studio or extra accommodation. to live in and maximising views. the front reects the design of the house
so it blends in rather than stands out.
The house and garage now have

great street appeal.

aces for k id
Sp utyousr childs bedroom with
or s tr ai n o n out
o s s yo t
Kit ch stre WORDS ASHLEIGH PERRIOTT ur bud oo
mu get
K
eeping up with your childrens
changing tastes can be a costly
exercise if you dont select
carefully when decorating their
bedrooms from the start. But its
PICTURE ISTOCK
not impossible with a few tricks.

We show you how to strike the
delicate balance of designing a solo
space for any age that is easy to update
Find furniture ideas for kids rooms

while still ensuring a mix of essential
items such as storage, your childs
favourite colours and their toys. Head to handyman.net.au/kids-projects

RENOVATE
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zizo.com.au
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Sheen in Magnetic Magic,
$86 for 4L. dulux.com.au
Clever Cube Compac

t2x2
White Storage Unit, $19
.
handy-storage.com.au
Toddler territory
Stimulate your littlies
Use alpha
brain with a creative b e t ma gn
ets as fun
and educa
collection of toys and accessories tional acc
es sories.
that will encourage them to
explore their space and learn.
Go for vivid colours, a range
of textures and low furniture to
spark motor skills as they go
from crawling to walking.
PICTURES (TOP) ALAMY (BOTTOM) ISTOCK

s.29929_isadv.com.au
Wonderland
in a weekend
with Porta mouldings
DIY videos,
handy tips
and design
ideas online.
VI-4410 [ or ] OD-3310 CR-6711 INS-3111 COA-6611
With so many fabulous moulding designs, decorating your kids room is easy and fun.
From bookcases to bed surrounds, picture frames and dolls houses. The possibilities
are as endless as your imagination. Take a look at our website to see the hundreds
of different moulding options and start creating your magical wonderland.
Available from Bunnings and major timber & hardware outlets.
www.porta.com.au
RENOVATE
Tween dream
Once your child begins to
eover.
approach their teenage in the mak
and get th em involved
years, youll need to revamp their
e co lour theme
d choose th
room to reect their developing Let your ki
maturity, and add an area where
they can do homework.
Upgrade the bed to a single or
double to accommodate growth
spurts and add lots of storage.
GET THE
LOOK ROSE
TRELLIS
Taubmans Eas ycoat Wa

lls
Low Sheen in Rose Tre
llis, $56
for 4L. taubmans.com.
au
Fantastic Furniture
Bunny Chair in Pink , $69.
fantastic furniture.com.au
PICTURES ISTOCK
Olinda
Hufett 160 x 230cm
Sha g Pil e Ru g in
Porta Primed Pi Polyester
ne Bullnose
spb err y, $219, fro m Bunnings.
Moulding 66 x 18 Ra
mm,
Make room for a $10 for 2.7m. po
desk to use as a rta.com.au
creative space an
d for studying.
RENOVATE
rhero posters.
om for little cost with supe
Add char ac ter to a boys ro
Boys domain
Bridge the gap between
primary and high school
for your boys using decorations
that are popular with both age
groups, such as posters of classic
comic book characters.
Fun extras like tents are great
for little ones to play in and are
GET THE easy to remove as they grow up.
LOOK
Put up a teepee
your toddler will
love as a hide-ou
t.
Marvel Comics Iro

n Man The Suit
Makes The Man
Retro Tin Sign,
$30. yellowocto
pus.com.au
Clever Cube Comp

ac t 4 x 4
W hite Stor age Un
it, $86.
handy-storage.co
m.au PICTURES (TOP) ALAMY (BOTTOM) GETTY IMAGES
Clever Cube Red Plastic

ert ,
330 x 330 x 370mm Ins
Nurser y
$15, from Bunnings. Hexagona
Design W
hite
l K ids Tee
$14 0. nurs pee Tent,
er ydesig
n.com.au
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RENOVATE
DESIGN TIP
An open-plan kitchen
complements modern
life, but include plenty of
storage to keep clutter
out of sight.
Design a kitc
hen to suit yo
ur lifesty le an
d budget .
KITCHEN A
s one of the busiest rooms
in the house, especially in
a family home, an outdated
kitchen not only makes preparing
MAGIC
meals more of a chore than a pleasure
but also presents storage issues.
The two main elements to consider
as you plan a renovation to the hub
of the home are layout and lifestyle.
Your kitchen needs to be designed
Transform a dated space into a modern for maximum functionality and to
suit your day-to-day life.
haven for cooking, eating and socialising Budget is a key factor, so plan
ahead to get the most bang for your
WORDS ASHLEIGH PERRIOTT AND ARTEMIS GOUROS buck when renovating the kitchen.
PICTURE ALAMY

ONE KITCHEN,
FOUR WAYS
Before
Kitchen upgrade
If you have an original or even just
an old kitchen, replacing it is probably
at the top of your renovation to-do The kitchen sees
list, but lack of funds or motivation a lot of action
may be whats holding you back.
This 70s kitchen was given four every day, ageing
different treatments to show just what
can be done to one space, depending
faster with wear
on budget and lifestyle needs. and tear than
Whether you want to do a DIY
makeover or rip out the kitchen
other areas of
and start from scratch, youll nd your home
inspiration in these designs.

RENOVATE
Rejuvenation
Industrial
Country
PICTURES BUNNINGS
Contemporary
RENOVATE
Watch the video How to Paint
Laminate Kitchen Cabinets at
bunnings.com.au/diy-advice.
UNDER
$1000
0 x 150cm PVC
Zone Interiors 18
W inter W hite,
Venetian Blind in
Budget rejuvenation GET THE $123. zoneint er iors.com.au
LOOK
If you dont have a large
stash of cash to spend on
xing up your kitchen, you
can do simple surface transformations
DIY with as little as $1000.
Paint is the secret weapon to
combatting a mishmash of colours
and patterns. Use laminate and tile
paint to easily resurface benchtops,
cabinets and splashbacks.
Charcoal is a good colour to mask
wear and tear, and white always looks
fresh. Complete the look with new
vinyl ooring and a venetian blind.
Wide Living
Geror Essential 3m
Grey She et Vin yl Flo or Roll,
r.com.au
$47 per metre. ger o
Choose a classic
colour to make a reno White Knight White
Laminate Paint , $49
stand the test of time whiteknightpaints.co
for 1L.
m.au

RENOVATE
Industrial design
GET THE
Creating a functional
space with a bit of wow
LOOK
factor is easy if you have
a reasonable budget to play with.
This kitchen has wide benchtops
for meal preparation and an island for
dining, while subway tiles paired with
dark grout for the splashback make Dulux Design Black
Chalkboard Paint , $2
clean-up quick and easy. 6 for
i Cut 500ml . dulux.com.au
0mm Cottagin
New laminate benchtops have Kaboodle 60 op , $157 per
nc ht
a dramatic impact but are inexpensive to Measure Be .au
. kaboodle.com
and easy to maintain. Stainless steel linear metre
appliances and white metal pendant
lights add an industrial feel.
Install task lighting

Johnson Tiles 200 x 100mm
for benchtops under War inga White Ceramic Wall
Brilliant 38cm Maxw
White Metal Shade, abo
ell
ut $73.
wall cabinets Tile, 61c, from Bunnings. brilliantlighting.com
.au
Watch the video How

to
Paint a Chalkboard Wa
ll at
bunnings.com.au/diy-a
dvice.
UNDER
$12,000
The fully integrated Surface Water
Drainage Solution
Installing an efective, fully integrated
surface water drainage system is
Easy As 1, 2, 3
Prepare Install Finish
EasyDRAIN Channel and Grate comes in 1 metre

and 3 metre lengths and is made from tough,
recycled UV stabilised polymer, making it super
light and easy to handle.
The EasyDRAIN system allows for a range of
conigurations using the corners, tee pieces and
slim pits that simply click together. Pre-moulded
outlets allow for easy integration into your existing
stormwater system.
EasyDRAIN Channel and
components come
complete with a choice
of grates including
pressed stainless steel
and pressed galvanised
steel, or black polymer that
has a wheel load rating of
1.5 tonne making it suitable
for driveways.
Best of all, installation
requires just three easy steps
prepare, install, inish.
www.everhard.com.au
National Customer Service Number 13 1926
RENOVATE
GET THE
Country escape
To set up an open-plan area
LOOK
that can be used for both
weekday meals or casual
dinner parties, a freestanding island
with stools and feature lighting is key.
Guests can chat to the cook as they
Mondell a WEL S 4 Star Maestro
move effortlessly around the working Kaboodle 24 00 x
60 0 x 35mm Chrome Lever Sink Mixer,
triangle of sink, stove and fridge. Bamboo Bencht
op, $4 59. $167. mondell a.com.au
A double-doored pantry and kaboodle.com.au
under-bench cabinets and drawers
help keep workstations clear, while
glass-doored wall cabinets double
as storage and display.
Pair neutral
tones and modern
appliances for Bellini 90cm Stain
St ee l Ca no py Ra
less
ngehood,
a timeless look Everdure 60cm 8 Fun
ction
$2 49, from Bunn
ings.
Built-in Electr ic Oven,

$509.
everdure.com
UNDER
$15,000
Watch the video

How to Install
a Bamboo Bencht
op at
bunnings.com.au
/diy-advice.

STYLISH WATER Theres no need
to drill into your
benchtop it simply
FILTER TAP
replaces your
existing tap.
DIY KIT
These stylish European taps will have your kitchen looking fantastic. They have a
lever for BRITA ltered water and a lever for your unltered hot/cold water. The lter is
tucked from view beneath the sink to provide ltered water for six months. A sensor
lets you know when its time to replace.
Theres no need to drill into your benchtop it simply replaces your existing tap.
They give you great tasting ltered water at your ngertips. Just ask restaurateur and
MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan.
Water is an essential ingredient and if you get the basics right, you have the foundation
for good cooking. Filtered water brings out the true avours and aromas of your food.
www.brita.com.au I 1300 557 762 I solutions@brita.com.au

RENOVATE
lit y.
ge and func tiona
maximises stora
A butlers pantry
Contemporary classic
For a luxurious, modern
renovation, team stone
benchtops with timber
cabinetry. Stone is not only durable,
but also scratch and heat resistant.
An earthy colour palette completes
the high-end simplicity of this design
and complements the minimalist look.
The effect is enhanced by the mirrored
splashback and glass pendant lights.
For a true entertainers delight,
a butlers pantry provides essential
extra storage, plus a place to wash up
and prep out of sight of guests.
Set the mood with

a mix of inbuilt ceiling
and pendant lights
Watch the video How to Install

Kitchen Wall Cabinets at
UNDER
bunnings.com.au/diy-advice. $25,000

GET THE
LOOK
Bellini 60cm Induction

Slide Touch Cooktop,
$4 49,
from Bunnings.
For mica 8mm Elysee

Laminate Flooring, $53
for a 2.4m
car ton. for mica.com.au
Brilliant 25cm 240V 42W Clear

Laurent Pendant Light, $94.
brilliantlighting.com.au
Es sential Ston
e 20mm Crea
Space Liquor tive
ice Benchtop
per sqm. es se , $620
ntialstone.com
.au
Watch the video
How to Design a
Laundr y at
bunnings.com.au
/diy-advice.
DESIGN TIP
Take advantage of all
available space by
installing floating
cabinets and mounting
the dryer on the wall.
Find it at
B unnings
UPDATE YOUR
LAUNDRY
Team sleek cabinetry with customised
storage to create a functional space
A
laundry needs to be both
a tidy workspace and a place
to store everything required
to maintain a clean home.
The key to creating a designer
laundry is maximising storage and
concealing unsightly equipment.
Your laundry should be built
around the essentials, which include
the washing machine, dryer, sink and
a benchtop. Cabinets tie the room Wash up with the Everhard 35L Benchline Laundry Drop In Bowl, $175.
together and can be customised to
suit your storage needs.
TIP Design the room around existing
plumbing to minimise expenses.

RENOVATE
Storage solutions
Laundries are primarily
for washing clothes and
storage, so allocate enough
cabinet space for cleaning
products, pegs and hangers.
Built-in hampers keep dirty
clothes out of sight, while
wall-mounted airers and ironing
boards save space.
Customise your cabinets to
allow for tall items like mops,
brooms and vacuum cleaners.
Select high quality nishes,
using cabinet, benchtop and
splashback combinations to Save space with the Robinhood Deluxe Ironin
g Centre, $329.
create a laundry youll want to
show off instead of hide away.
1 Flatpax 600mm Utility

Broom Cupboard, $376.
2 Flatpax 900mm Utility

2 Drying Cabinet, $211.
3 Caroma Liano 200mm
Wall Mixer, $418.
4 Johnson 300 x 100mm
Ceramic Gloss White Wall
Tile, $35.88 for a pack
of 40 or $29.40 per sqm.
5 Kaboodle 600mm
Taranade Matte Cut To
Measure Benchtop, $157

1 per linear metre.
6 Kaboodle 450mm
Linen Chute, $201.

4
3

6
PICTURES AGENCY

INSTALL A
CLASSIC DECK
Choose and lay decking boards DIY to create
the ideal outdoor area for your home
SAFETY TIP
If you decide to lay timber
boards, pick a type that is
more resistant to rot and
termites, like merbau
or treated pine.
PICTURE ISTOCK

OUTDOOR
W
hether youre about to Composite boards provide an
build a deck or your old alternative to timber that is highly
one needs a facelift, durable, eco-friendly and will require
youll have to lay new boards. less ongoing maintenance.
When it comes to choosing your Laying the boards can be done DIY
decking boards, merbau, spotted gum without too much fuss. They should be
and treated pine are the most popular secured to the top of the joists of the
options. They are available in large decking structure, positioned to run
140mm wide boards, medium 90mm across them, and parallel to the beams.
boards and narrow 70mm boards. Make sure the boards are straight
Timber is the classic choice, but and leave 3mm gaps between them,
it will require upkeep. Cleaning and using either spacers or wedges to
oiling needs to be done annually. ensure the gaps are even.
A spacious deck
is the ultimate hu
b for outdoor en
tertaining in the
warm months.

OUTDOOR
Style and size

There are many different options to
choose from, so consider the function
of the deck when planning it, and keep
it proportional to your house size.
You can attach a deck to a side of
the house in the form of a balcony or
a verandah, which will usually have
one or more sides supported by
a ledger that is secured to the house.
A wraparound deck is a type of
attached deck that follows part of
the perimeter of the house, while
freestanding decks are self-supported
on posts and bearers. A well- designed
Multi-level decking can be either deck can be used
for dining and lo
unging.
freestanding or attached, which is
ideal for large or sloping sites.
CHOOSE
A BOARD
Despite the versatility of composite

boards, natural timber is still the most
popular choice. The two categories
are hardwood or treated pine.
PICTURES (MAIN,TOP LEFT) ISTOCK
HARDWOODS such as merbau, ACQ TREATED PINE features

Timber boards vary spotted gum, blackbutt or forest a greenish tinge that weathers to a light
red are strong, durable choices grey-brown, and is very cost effective,
in density, with that withstand the extremes of the starting from about $3 per linear metre.
hardwoods often Australian climate well. It is extremely lightweight, making
Prices start at about $7 per linear construction and transport easier,
tougher to work with metre for 90 x 19mm merbau boards. and can be stained as desired.

DESIGN TIP
When space is limited,
use large-format wide
decking boards so there
are fewer gaps to
distract the eye.
SikaSeal Super-200
SikaSeal Super-200 is a multipurpose,
exible gap sealant combining the benets
of acrylic and silicone technology. It is a truly
versatile multipurpose sealant.
Ekodeck Compos
ite Decking,
from about $37
for a 5.4m
board. ekologix.
com.au
COMPOSITE BOARDS are harder

wearing than timber varieties and
Interior & exterior use
require less general upkeep.
Mould resistant
Planet-friendly Ekodeck looks and

installs like timber but is made from Excellent adhesion

plantation bamboo and recycled Sandable & paintable
bottles. It comes in a range of styles Water clean up
and is resistant to rot and mould.
LAY DECKING BOARDS
JOIST
SPIRIT
LEVEL
COMBINATION
SQUARE
SPACER
JOIST
CENTRELINE
SCREW
POSITION
DECKING
BOARD

1 Position and cut the boards
2 Mark the joist centrelines
3 Mark the screw positions
Lay ve rows at a time with 50mm Check the decking board joints Use a 40mm square offcut as a spacer
overhang at each end, overlapping are square and centred over the to mark across the lines, showing
the joints at the nearest joist. Use joists, then position a straightedge drilling points. Make narrow wedges
a combination square to mark a line or spirit level across the decking 100mm long using a mitresaw, then
on the boards for the joist positions, boards at the centre of each joist to tap them between the boards at every
then cut to length with a mitresaw. mark the centrelines. second joist to keep the gaps even.
JOIST
DECKING
BOARD
WEDGE
STRINGLINE
CIRCULAR
SAW
JOIST CHISEL
CENTRELINE

4 Secure the screws
5 Check the alignment
6 Trim the board ends
Use a drill and 2mm combination Position a stringline along the Mark a cut line on the end of the
countersink bit to make pilot holes complete length of a row, every ve boards, leaving a 20mm overhang.
at the marks, drilling only through rows, to check the boards are straight, Cut using a circular saw and round
the board if the joists are treated pine. adjusting if needed. Use a chisel to over with 120 grit abrasive paper.
Use a square drive bit to secure screws, prise the gaps slightly further open TIP Use a handsaw to cut the last board
adjusting the torque clutch as needed. or closed as required for even spacing. where the circular saw wont reach.

OUTDOOR
Deck innovations
This beautiful poolside
deck area was created with
moisture-resistant Inex Decking
Boards from Ubiq, from $31 for
a 2.7m board (ubiq.com.au).
These boards are made
from a unique non-combustible
composite material that is easy
to work and gives the appearance
of authentic timber decking.
ural timber stains.

ished in a var iet y of nat
Inex boards can be n
GREAT PRODUCTS FROM THE FILLER SPECIALISTS

TIMBERMATE WOODFILLER
The secret ingredient? Water!

WOOD HARDENER
Restores rotted wood

POWDER PUTTY TOMMY TAPE

Multi-purpose interior/exterior powder ller Self fusing silicone tape

Just mix with water

1000s OF USES!
Adhesive free Self fusing Watertight Airtight
WAXSTIX TOUCH-UP CRAYONS EARLS MULTFIL

Comes in 13 different colours Ready to use directly from the container
TIMBERMATE

TMGR004
www.timbermate.com.au (03) 9873 4811

REFINISH A DECK
The summer sun can be hard on timber boards so
rejuvenate decking with a good scrub and new stain
WORDS AND PICTURES STUART SCOTT
Stuart
EXPERT
SECRETS
A quality stain will
withstand cold, wind,
heat and rain, and
shouldnt fade when
exposed to sunlight.

OUTDOOR
TIDY TIP
T
his timber deck had
When cleaning the deck, lost its sheen after years
treat any areas of algae, of withstanding heavy
mildew or mould with foot trafc and the elements.
a specialised product It was in need of a deep clean
and a few coats of stain to give it
using a stiff brush.
an eye-catching new look.
The timber boards were given
an initial spray with a pressure
washer. While it was still wet,
the deck was scrubbed with mild
detergent using a long-handled
brush for a deeper clean.
To nish, two coats of teak
timber decking stain were applied,
revitalising the deck and protecting
it from future wear and tear.
After
The new teak
nish gives th
e timber
ok .
and glos sy lo
boards a rich
Before

OUTDOOR

1
2
3
PRESSURE
WASHER
DECKING
BOARDS

1 Spray the deck
Rinse the timber boards using
a pressure washer to remove any
surface dirt and grime. Use a fan
spray to clean the deck rather than
blasting it, making sure not to be too
aggressive with the pressure washer.
A stained deck will usually need LONG-HANDLED

SCRUBBING BRUSH
renishing once every couple of DETERGENT
years to keep it looking fresh

2 Scrub the boards
While the deck is still wet, scrub it
thoroughly with a mild detergent
using a long-handled scrubbing brush,
cleaning the boards of any patches of
mud or dirt. Rinse off the detergent,
then allow the deck to dry.
STUARTS
PICKS Paint Partner Deck
DECKING
BRUSH TIMBER
STAIN
Brush with Pole, $20,
from Bunnings.
DECKING
BOARDS
Handle
Oates Long
Brush,

3 Apply the stain
Deck Scr ub Finish the boards with two coats of
oa te s. co m.au
$15. Monarch Dispos timber stain, using a decking brush
able
Deck Tr ay, $6. to spread the stain evenly all over
austbr ush.com.au the deck. Allow at least two hours
Sikkens BL X-Pro
Teak, $380 for 10L . between coats. Avoid staining the
sikkens.com boards in hot and windy conditions.

DESIGN TIP
Add wow factor to
an outdoor room by
using boldly patterned
rugs and bright
scatter cushions.
After
Laying a deck
and adding fu
rniture
ou td oo r room.
ning
creates a stun
Before
OUTDOOR
FROM BARE TO
Updating surfaces and adding modern features
revitalises this patio for summer entertaining
WORDS AND PICTURES CHERIE BARBER
There are two main approaches

to renovating: working with
what youve got or stripping
FREE
it all back and starting from scratch.
Its not hard to work out which one
VIRTUAL
is going to cost you more.
Always ask yourself what can
MAKEOVER
stay or be recycled. If the bones
are strong, just dress them up with
smart cosmetic changes. Thats
what Im going to do with this Cherie Barber is the owner
unremarkable rear patio. of Renovating For Prot,
a company dedicated to
The reno plan teaching people how to add
This outdoor area is fairly value to their property
large and has lots of through smart renovation.
potential, but the lack She is also a public
of amenities and dull speaker and TV renovator
weathered paving makes on the popular Network Ten
it look very uninviting. show The Living Room.
The colour scheme Cherie is offering
is outdated and the garden a free virtual makeover to
border is undened, so Handyman readers in need
the patio appears bare of renovation inspiration.
PICTURE (BACKGROUND) THINKSTOCK
and unnished. Send us a photo and

Rendering the walls and description of an area in
laying decking over the your home that needs
pavers provides instant impact. work for the chance to
An outdoor lounge setting get a free makeover.
extends the living area outdoors, To upload your photos,
and a tidy container garden go to handyman.net.au/
completes the transformation. virtual-makeover.
59
OUTDOOR
SIX STEPS
TO SUCCESS
2 LAY TIMBER DECKING
Modular decking from
Good Times is a really
3 REVAMP THE GARDEN
simple and economical The existing border
solution for this area. plants can be recycled

1 RENDER THE WALLS You dont need to dig within the garden to make
If theres one thing worse holes for posts and it way for a contemporary,
than bare bricks, its comes with an easily uniform container garden.
blonde bare bricks, so assembled frame and Black river pebbles
camouaging the rear adjustable feet. along the edge of the
facade is essential for Its particularly handy deck give denition to the
a modern look. for laying straight over new design and provide
Im going to render and paving or concrete. a striking contrast to the
paint it a pale olive, but merbau timber.
modern colours like grey
or chocolate would work.
x 555mm Merbau
Good Times 1113
Panel, $89. Tuscan Path 30-50mm Polished
Modular Decking Black Pebbles, $11 for 15kg.
goodtim es de ck ing.com
tuscanpath.com.au
Rockcote PM100 Q
Render, $17 for 20kg.
rockcote.com.au

5 INSTALL A FIREPLACE
The hanging hose may be
6 ADD FURNITURE
functional, but it doesnt With so many fantastic

4 CREATE A SCREEN make a great centrepiece. outdoor settings to
Tall urns planted with Well relocate the choose from these days,
greenery form an elegant reel around the side and you can recreate your
screen to the backyard. install a wall-mounted lounge room anywhere.
Their height works much ethanol burner in its place All this space needs
better than the low plants to create a year-round is comfortable seating,
that were there before. entertaining area. a rustic coffee table and
Installing a merbau And so the deck can be an all-weather rug.
screen provides extra used after the sun has set, Well position it all
privacy for the area well install wall lights. around the replace to
while complementing The sails can stay as create an outdoor room
the decking timber. they provide good shade. you wont want to leave.
PICTURE (BACKGROUND) ISTOCK
Instinct 018W
Bio Fire, $249. Mimosa Geneve Corner
Northcote Pottery 54 x 38cm
ethanolheaters.com.au Lounge Setting, $629,
Precinct Lite Black Pot, $80.
from Bunnings.
northcotepottery.com.au

INEX DECKING
CEMENT COMPOSITE DECKING 140mm x 19mm x 2.7m

BUSHFIRE RATED BAL-FZ TOUGH AND DURABLE

EASY TO WORK WITH ASBESTOS FREE
COAT IN MULTIPLE COLOURS TERMITE PROOF
LOOKS LIKE TIMBER WHEN COATED MOULD RESISTANT
visit www.ubiq.com.au or freecall 1300 00 UBIQ

for product information, installation guides and a list stockists
ANY BUILDING ANY SURFACE ANY WHERE

Give the path an
organic feel with
roughly cut br ick
s.
WALKWAY
Use reclaimed bricks to create a rustic
path with a circular design at the start
WORDS AND PICTURES MELISSA DARR
Before
W
hen blogger Melissa Darr
moved into her house,
the garden at the back
Melissa
was scruffy and underused, and she
decided that it needed a DIY upgrade
to give it a charming rustic feel.
Melissa and her husband Bevan
chose to clear the existing outdoor
space and lay a path of reclaimed red
bricks, planted on either side with
beds of herbs and vegetables.
They sourced the bricks from
a nearby demolition site with the
permission of the site foreman.
We also wanted to incorporate EXPERT
SECRETS
a circular brick design at the entrance
of the path where we could put a small
cafe-style setting, says Melissa.
Now its nished, we love to sit
Plant herbs with
out there once the sun has gone down striking blooms, such
and enjoy our dinner in the twilight. as chamomile and
To nish off the space, a bench that
was handcrafted from the trunk of an
garlic chives, so your
old tree was added. For a focal point, herb garden doubles
a weathered-look terracotta planter as a flower bed.
was placed at the end of the path.

OUTDOOR
DESIGN TIP
To give a terracotta pot
a mossy look, brush plain
yoghurt on the surface
and leave it in a dark spot
for several weeks.
Recycle an old tre
e by turning it int
o an inviting log
bench.
After
A br ick patio
, cafe-sty le se
tting and beds
x.
ov id e a pl ace to rela
herbs pr
of ower ing

OUTDOOR
BUILD
THE PATH Cr usher dust wa
s put down as a
foundation.
1
Clear the area
The garden at the back of the
house had been allowed to
grow wild by the previous owner, so
the rst job was to clear it completely
of hard roots and shrubs.
Before Melissa and Bevan could
start laying the pathway, they had to
manually strip the reclaimed bricks of
mortar using a hammer and bolster.
This was a bit of a painful process,
as we had about 400 bricks, but it was
well worth it, says Melissa.
A bed of crusher dust was spread
over the area to be paved to provide
a stable foundation for the bricks.
The circular patte

rn was laid rst
on marked lines
.
2
Lay the bricks
Melissa had her sights set on
creating a decorative circular
pattern at the start of the new path.
To mark out the design, a stake
was pegged where the centre of the
e added.
, the othe r br icks wer circle would be, with a length of string
rcle nished
W ith the ci attached. A sharp object was tied to
the string and the circle was drawn by
winding the string around the stake.
Bevan began by laying the inner
circle of bricks on the marked lines,
working outwards from the centre.
The centre of the circle was lled
in with roughly cut bricks, then the
remainder of the path was laid.
Get more DIY from Melissa

Follow her blog thewhimsicalwife.com
64
3 Fill the gaps
The crevices in the path were
lled and set with sand.
Sand was then laid over the top of
the bricks and brushed back and forth
with a large-bristled broom to ll in
the gaps between the bricks.
After the excess sand was carefully
brushed off the surface, the whole path
was given a light spray with a hose to
wet the sand, compacting it.
.
in position
used to se t the br icks
Sand and w ater were
PLANT IT UP
A length of exible drainage pipe
was installed around the garden Rosemary
beds before the bricks were laid to
irrigate the plants with greywater
from the washing machine.
Melissa then planted basil,
mustard greens, shallots, thyme,
oregano, marjoram, chamomile,
garlic chives, sage, tarragon,
rosemary, parsley, mint, lettuces
mile
Chamo
and spring onions.
Our herbs have really taken
off now that the warmer weather
has started to hit, she says.
Tarragon
How to Prepare
nings Watch the video
it at Bun and Lay a Ba se for Pavers at
Find bunnings.com.au
/diy-advice
PAVE A
Create a stunning entertaining area
in your backyard using stone pavers
What you need
L
aying paving is an easy way to Wet-laying pavers onto a mortar
transform a bare backyard into base ensures theyll stay in place for Bluestone pavers
a fantastic outdoor living area. years to come, making this method Angle grinder, diamond blade
With pavers, you can create ideal for areas with a lot of foot trafc.
Sawhorse and clamps
a convenient and low-maintenance Before laying paving, install
Spirit level
patio that can be used for alfresco timber formwork, spread 100mm of
Straightedge
dining, barbecues or just relaxing. roadbase over the area and compact
Natural bluestone pavers are cost it with a plate compactor. You can
Stringline, hammer and nails
effective, easy to lay and hard-wearing. hire one for about $60 an hour. Sand and cement mix
Wheelbarrow and shovel
Trowel
Bucket and sponge
Turn an unused area into an outdoor Rubber mallet
Tape measure
room by laying pavers next to the house Gloves and knee pads
ROADBASE
PAVER
SPIRIT
LEVEL
NAIL FORMWORK
ROADBASE TROWEL
PAVER
MORTAR
SPONGE
STRINGLINE
MORTAR

1 Run a stringline
2 Lay the rst paver
3 Continue laying pavers
Drive a nail into the formwork one Spread a 30mm layer of mortar over Spread a 30mm layer of mortar next to
paver width from the wall. Measure the roadbase where the rst paver will the rst paver and position the second
the distance between the nail and the be laid, position the paver on top and paver on top, leaving 5mm between
wall, then drive another nail into the tap into place with a rubber mallet, the pavers. Continue laying across the
formwork on the opposite side of the aligning it with the stringline. Check area ush with the stringline, checking
area the same distance from the wall. for level across the length of the paver for level. Use a damp sponge to wipe
Tie a stringline between the two nails. and diagonally using a spirit level. off excess mortar as each paver is laid.

OUTDOOR
DESIGN TIP
The stretcher bond
pattern is ideal for long
rectangular pavers and
helps make an area
appear larger.
d luxurious.
feel spacious an
rs make a patio
tural stone pave
Large-format na
ANGLE
SECOND GRINDER
ROW
LINE
CUT
PAVER PAVER
FORMWORK
FIRST
ROW
FORMWORK
4 Start the second row

5 Cut the end pavers
6 Lay the cut pavers
To create a stretcher bond pattern, To t pavers at the ends of each row, Position the end pavers with the cut
mark the middle of a paver and lay it measure the distance between the last facing the adjacent paver and the
in the next row so the mark aligns with full paver and the formwork. Deduct uncut edge facing the end of the row.
the gap between the rst and second 5mm from this gure and mark the Continue cutting and laying pavers
pavers. Leave 5mm between the rst length onto a paver. Use an angle until the area is covered. Let the
and second rows. Use a straightedge grinder with a diamond blade to cut mortar set for at least 24 hours
to check that each row is straight. the paver along the mark. before walking on the pavers.

OUTDOOR
POWER CLEAN ADAMS

PICKS
Turn the tricky task of cleaning pavers

into a pleasure with a pressure washer
WORDS AND PICTURES ADAM WOODHAMS
W
ith time and wet
weather, pavers can
start to look a little
worse for wear.
But you dont have to spend
hours on your hands and knees with 8L
Silvan Selecta Chapin
a scrubbing brush. You can have Ser ies Ha nd Spr aye r,
Pro XP
them looking near-new in no time $89. silvan. com .au
using a couple of power tools.
In summer, always check water
restrictions in your area and connect 30 Seconds Outd
oor Cleaner
your pressure washer to a rainwater Concentrate, $2 Karcher K2 .30 0 160 0ps
0 for 5L , i
tank if you have one. from Bunnings. High Pressure Cleane
r, $149.
karcher.com.au
Before
Victa V Force+ 40V
Lithium Blower and Vacuum,
$429. victa.com/au
OUTDOOR
CLEANER
BLOWER
PAVED
AREA
PICTURE (BACKGROUND THINKSTOCK

1 Clear the area
2 Prepare the cleaner
Remove all the furniture, pots and Mix an outdoor cleaner with water
any other items that are standing in a hand sprayer container, following
on the paved area to be cleaned. the manufacturers directions and
Thoroughly clear the space of any safety precautions. Avoid contact with
After
Cleaned and hose
d with a pressure
washer, the
l condition.
loose material using either a blower skin, clothing and fabrics, as many
na or a broom and a rake. products have a bleaching action.
ed to their or igi
pavers are re stor

effort.
imal time and
paving with min
ok to old brick
Bring a new lo
Maestro BAL
Now available in
Bunnings on shelf
or by Special Order
Maestro BAL is ideal for homes
in bush fire areas. The CSIRO has
assessed Maestro BAL to comply with
the requirements of AS3959 and is
rated to BAL-40.
Watch more outdoor maintenance videos Maestro BAL removes heat from your
Subscribe at youtube.com/HandymanMagazineAU roof space in the hotter months, and
reduces condensation all year round. It
can be set to automatic or one of three
fixed speed settings. Made from quality
aluminium, its available in eight colours
and is suitable for metal or tiled roofs.
Performance equivalent
HAND to 6 wind driven vents
SPRAYER PRESSURE
WASHER
PAVED
AREA
PAVED
AREA
3 Apply the cleaner

4 Spray the paving
edmonds.com.au
Apply the prepared cleaner over Working towards the area where water
the entire paved area to be cleaned, will run off, commence spraying with Ph: 1300 858 674
making sure all surfaces are well a high pressure washer, using a broom
wetted with the solution. to clear the area as you go if needed.
TIP On hot or sunny days, or for large A second going-over may be required
spaces, only treat a section at a time. to fully remove dislodged material.
YPA9452
COOL &
SHADY
Smart ways to keep your place fresh
and comfortable in hot, sunny weather
WORDS AND PICTURES ADAM WOODHAMS
A
t the hottest time of the You can take the step of switching
year, theres no denying that on the air conditioning, of course, but
there are many parts of our really, on a beautiful summers day,
massive, wide land that experience who wants to close the house up just
intense and oppressive heat. to stay that little bit cooler?
Unless youre lucky enough to be There are, in fact, many alternative
able to while away the summers in ways you can make your home more
a cottage by the beach, the chances comfortable over summer.
are you spend the season looking for Here are a few ideas to help you
ways to keep your home cool. stay cool while the temperature rises.

OUTDOOR
SAFETY TIP
Use plants and trees
with non-invasive root
systems if planting near
the house, to protect
the foundations.
mmer.
ide cover in su
ees w ill prov
Deciduous tr
Create shade
Trees, large hedges and
screening plants can do
a great job of keeping paved
areas and the walls of your home
cool. A natural bamboo screen
will also have the same effect.
Before planting trees or
hedges, consider which sides of
your home receive the most sun
and plant accordingly. Position
on the edges of paved surfaces so
they will be shaded from the sun.
You can also train vines
up the walls of your home and
around windows which will help
to provide additional cooling.
Fast- grow ing ba

mboo is an ideal
shade maker.

OUTDOOR
On a 40 day, the surface temperature

of grass is likely to be about 45. In
COOL AND contrast, dark-coloured concrete areas

can reach temperatures of over 70.
To reduce heat in the yard,
opt for a large lawn rather
GREEN Concrete and paved surfaces will
continue to radiate heat into the night
than expanses of concrete
with Sir Walter Buffalo Turf,
even as the air cools down, whereas about $9 for a 1sqm roll
lawn areas cool off quickly. (sirwalter.com.au).
Shading concrete from direct sun
with a tree or hedge can reduce the
surface temperature by up to 25.
Naturally bushy, the Time

Savers Westringia Aussie
Box, $63, grows up to Keep harsh sunlight from
about 950mm high and heating up the exterior
provides lots of low shade walls of your home with
(bunnings.com.au). the Eden 1.8 x 3m Natural
Bamboo Fence Screen, $50
(edenbrand.com).
WINDOW
DRESSING
The handy little Pillar One of the biggest sources of heat

Products Window Film build-up inside the home is radiant
Installation Kit, $10, heat entering through the windows.
contains all you need Curtains or blinds on the inside
to tint your windows DIY may help with UV penetration, but
(bunnings.com.au). they wont always stop the heat.
The trick is to prevent the sunlight
from transferring that heat outside
to heat inside your home. There are
a number of easy ways to do this.
Featuring a double-layered
pleat design, the attractive
Velux Honeycomb Blind, Block up to 98% of UV rays
from $175, will block out and reduce infrared light
heat and light while leaving and heat in your home with
a soft glow (velux.com.au). Tinted Glare Control Window
Film from Pillar Products,
$31 for a 0.9 x 2m roll.
Save energy by painting the roof in a light colour.
BUILT-IN
CHILL
If designing a new home, talk with your Painting the roof in a light colour
architect or builder at the early stages alone can save you nearly 40% in
about passive cooling and heating. energy use during the summer. Installation tips
High-grade insulation in ceilings, If you do decide to go for a dark Insulation is classed
oors and walls is relatively inexpensive roof, then consider adding a double by an R value, and
at build stage. It creates a huge cost layer of sarking to cut cooling costs. the higher the number, the
saving in the long run and makes your Also select light concrete or paving better the insulation quality.
home more comfortable year-round. colours to reduce the heat outside. Its fairly straightforward
to install ceiling insulation
DIY. Heres how to make the
task simple and safe.
CHECK the recommended
R value and, for better
White Knight Ultra Pave
results, exceed it.
Heavy Duty Formula Paving
ENSURE the insulation is
& Concrete Paint, $32 for 1L,
suitable for your situation,
is an ideal nish for paths,
considering things like space
patios and driveways
between ceiling joists.
(whiteknightpaints.com.au).
AVOID installing ceiling
insulation on hot days or
in the middle of the day.
WEAR the safety gear
thats suggested on the pack.
The eco-friendly EarthWool This will generally include
from Knauf Insulation, $30 gloves, long pants and long
for a 90 x 430mm x 19m sleeves, safety goggles and
roll, keeps things cool in a suitable dust mask.
summer and warm in winter TREAD carefully when
(knaunsulation.com.au). in the roof cavity. Only step
on bearers or joists.
KEEP insulation clear
of light ttings, especially
halogen ttings and exhaust
fans, rangehood outlets
ThermalBrane Insulation and any other appliances.
PICTURE (TOP) ISTOCK
from Ametalin, $271 for ASK an electrician if it is

a 6.5 x 1350mm x 22.25m safe to install insulation that
roll, can be installed inside contains reective foil layers
walls or used as lining for over cables. And never staple
sheds (ametalin.com). this type of insulation.

OUTDOOR
AIR
FRESHENER
With an efcient DC motor,
the Mercator Lily DC Ceiling
Fan, from $349, will save
A build-up of hot air in a roof space or
you up to 80% in energy use
rooms can cause your home to retain
compared to a fan with an AC
the heat long after the sun has set.
motor (mercator.com.au).
Remove this hot air and keep
air circulating to make a huge
difference to the internal temperature
of your home. It can be as simple as
installing a couple of well-positioned
Driven by wind power,
vents and ceiling fans.
When used in conjunction the CSR Edmonds 250mm
with a roof turbine, the CSR Night Sky SupaVent Turbine
Edmonds 150mm Round Ventilator, $138, also known
Ceiling Vent, $45, will help as a whirly bird, will extract
keep a room comfortably the heat from roof cavities.
cool (edmonds.com.au).
The Squareline Plus

range of kitchen
sinks by Everhard
comprises of three

suit standard modular
kitchen cupboards
as well as having a
sharp, modern look to
complement the most

made kitchen.
Each sink in the range
has the ability to
be top mounted or
undermounted, boasts

features and have

to suit.
A successful kitchen

user. Thats Squareline
Plus by Everhard.
Since 1926
www.everhard.com.au | National Customer Service Number 13 1926 | Everything Water

OUTDOOR
SHADE
SOLUTIONS
A little bit of shade goes a long way

in cooling things down. Modern
home design trends seem to call for
houses to be built without eaves,
and the big, airy verandah out the
front is clearly a thing of the past.
But you can still add useful shade,
such as awnings, to the exterior of
your home to help cool the interior.
Use a shades ail

to create a cool
corner in the ga
rden.
Shade helps to cool
air a little before it
enters the home
An ideal solution to create

shade in a particular spot,
the 4 x 4m Coolaroo Buttery
Square Gazebo, $599, is easy Great for cooling a deck or
to assemble and gives 100% terrace, the Pillar Products
cover factor (coolaroo.com). 2 x 3m Retractable Screen
in Charcoal, $199, can be
easily tted in a wide range
of areas (bunnings.com.au).
PICTURE (MAIN) ALAMY

STOP YOUR COOLING COSTS
GOING THROUGH THE ROOF
Up to 30% of heat loss or gain is through an un-insulated ceiling.
This summer, install super-soft Earthwool insulation to help enhance the thermal comfort of your home.
And the satisfaction of doing it yourself is soon followed by the wonderful feeling
that youve helped stop your cooling costs going through the roof.
For more information visit www.knaufinsulation.com.au

KIAU1015278AD
Please review DIY videos and installation instructions

before starting your project at www.knauinsulation.com.au bunnings.com.au
Find it at
B unnings
SAFETY TIP
NEW Add a stylish steel gate

to a walkway that opens
onto a public path to
provide a design feature
and extra security.
Head instore to pick up the latest
products for the home and garden
w ith an
the fence
Finish off e G range
mm Th
853 x 90 0 G a te , $ 6 5.
Lo w
Mosman
GREAT
GATES
Build a beau
tiful entr ance
an 853 x 18 30 w ith
mm The Gr an
Mosman High ge
Gate, $119.
Pen pets
in w ith a
Add access to your garden with Rapid M
e sh Mod
120 0 x 1
8 0 0 mm
an 855 x 945mm The Grange and matc
hing Mo
ular Pet
Panel, $
Cheltenham Low Gate, $99. dular Pe 75,
t Gate, $
115.
ith an
ecurity w
Provide s Grange
0 mm The
855 x 18 8 h G a te, $199.
am Hig Tuck away tool s inside the 72
C heltenh
Ultimate Ten- drawer and Central
Cabinet Tool Trolley, $999.
OUTDOOR
with
Update an old kitchen
Kaboodle Eu rop ean Tim
Benchtops, from $31
ber
0. HOME
UPGRADES
Remove up to
99% of contam water
w ith the Stef inants Give every tap clean
ani Reverse Os i Wh ole of House
Water Filtr at mosis with the Ste fan
ion System, $5 , $209.
50. Water Filtration System
Treat your tradie

to
an Elec tricians
Tool Pouch,
$19.98, to attach
with British to a belt.
Refresh old nishes
Prime
Paint s White Pa & int
Ex ter ior, $6 0.9 0 for 4L.
Fix up fu
r niture w
Touch U ith C abo
p Pen s , ts
$8.50 ea
colours ch, in v
and two e
she en s .

5
TOP
7
TOOLS

6

4

8

2
Smooth it out with the

Kincrome Air 16-piece
Sander Kit, $169.
Do it yourself with the Kincrome
Professional Tool Range:
1 115 Angle Die Grinder, $129.
2 12" Drive Air Drill, $139.
3 12" Drive 81NM Air
Ratchet, $134.
4 12" Drive Air Stubby
Impact Gun, $278.
5 12" Drive Heavy Duty Air
Impact Wrench, $369. Remove rust with
6 12" Drive 745NM Air Mini a Kincrome Air Needle
Impact Gun, $239. Scaler Accessor y, $75. Carve it out with
7 Air Cut-off Tool, $69.
Kincrome Air Ha
the
8 Air Grinder, $169. Lubricate tools and mmer
me Chisel Kit, $179
joints with the Kincro .
Air Grease Gun, $128.

B unnings
Find it at
Summer essentials
Gear up to give your place some much-needed
TLC with these top garden and DIY products
ATTACH ARCHITRAVES with Selleys Ezi BRUSH ON new formula Dulux Wash & PAINT AND PROTECT your home
Press Liquid Nails Fast, $7.98 for 130g, Wear Low Sheen Paint, $82.90 for 6L, with British Paints Low Sheen White
without the need for a caulking gun. with 101 Barrier Technology. 4 Seasons, 59.90 for 6L.
TREAT THE DECK to a fresh BEAT BACK MOULD by applying NOURISH N NURTURE with Yates
nish with Cabots Natural and Merbau Taubmans Easy Coat Anti-bacterial, Thrive All Purpose Fast Acting Fertiliser
Aquadeck, $69.90 for 4L. $54.90 for 6L, to your walls. + Trace Elements, $9.98 for 2L.
GROW FRESH VEG in The Organic STEP OUT of the sweltering sun and KEEP PLANTS hydrated and healthy
Garden Co. 200 x 100 x 41cm Paperbark take a shady break under a Coolaroo on hot summer days with the Pope
Raised Garden Bed, $99. Cabana Gazebo, $149. Small Garden Hose Reel, $39.98.

OUTDOOR
WANDER N WATER the BLAST OFF dirt and grime MOW THE GRASS with a TIDY THE YARD with the
garden using a Gardena with a Gerni Titan 1.4kW Victa Classic 18 Cut & Catch Ozito 18V Power Xchange
Hose Trolley Set, $69. Pressure Washer, $299. Lawnmower, $399. Line Trimmer Combo, $149.
KEEP COOL and comfortable SECURE SCREWS with the Trojan GRIP IT with the Irwin Five-piece Plier
inside all summer long with Knauf 26-piece Screwdriver Set, $29.98, in Set, $49.98, featuring a plier for every
Insulation Earth Wool, from $63. a clever organised carry case. job and handy roll pouch for storage.
WORK FOR HOURS with the Bosch MAKE DIY EASY with the Ryobi
18V Drill Driver Kit, $199, featuring two One+ Drill Driver Kit, $199, featuring
cordless drills, a light and tool bag. a drill, two batteries and a charger.
FIX IT FAST with the Dewalt 18V Li-ion TIDY UP twigs and leaves around the
Combo Kit, $229, featuring a drill, yard with the cordless Ryobi One+ 18V
driver, two batteries and charger. 5.0Ah Blower Kit, $199.
ONE BATTERY POWERS THE ENTIRE
18V POWER X CHANGE RANGE
*Chargers and batteries come with a 3 year replacement warranty.

t ing BUILD
r e a
r e b yc h
fu r nitu s c r atc
r r e tro es from
s te f o p ie c EI T E
Z
t a
he t -denin g IN G G
E M A BEN
ra ce e ST YL
Emb ee decad
R I S
ER
UE F
U R ES S
thr
IC T
EN P
ID S S RV
SG UN A
J EC T
PRO

1-2
$291 REEL TO
REAL
GUNS
PICKS
ome
Cabots Satin St Leggz 700 x 50mm Chr
h.
ain & Varnish Fur niture Legs, $14 eac
in Jarr ah, $19 fo
r 250ml. leg gz. com .au Acry lic Sheet,
m, $65.
cabots.com.au 1220 x 610 x 6m
.co m.au
acry lic sonline

BUILD
TOOLS
JIGSAW, CIRCULAR SAW, DIY TIP
DRILL, BELT SANDER To achieve a straight cut
when shortening the
legs, wrap sandpaper
around each of them and
mark along the top of it.
Long before the iPod, portable
music was made possible by
the Compact Cassette.
The proportions of this tribute
table are almost identical to those of
the original Philips cassette tape and
it even has spools. It features a drawer
for storage and a 6mm acrylic top.
Its built from overlapping layers
of plywood that are initially secured
with screws. The central layer is made
from two pieces joined edge-to-edge,
making it easier to drill into the spools.
TIP To cut out the enclosed shapes with
a jigsaw, drill a 10mm starter hole.
Materials
$113
Structural plywood
$65
Clear acrylic
Countersunk timber
$7
screws
$2
Pine dowel
$9
Drawer runners
$4
Clear surface savers
$56
Chrome legs
$19
Jarrah varnish stain
$16
Clear polyurethane
$291
TOTAL
Install the drawer the table runners and attach with

The drawer runs on self-closing screws before securing the core
300mm runners, which will extend table components with adhesive.
about 50mm behind the drawer, Finish the drawer by applying
allowing it to slide out almost fully. varnish stain to the central strip at
Secure the runners to the the front, giving the look of magnetic
drawer sides using the supplied tape. Repeat this with the tape
screws, then mark the position of plates in the core of the table.

MAKE THE TABLE
CLAMP
SPADE
LONG BACK BELT BIT
SANDER
ASSEMBLED SPOOL
SHORT RAILED BASE SIDE BACK
SIDE
LONG RAILED RASP
SIDE
PVA
DOWEL ADHESIVE
CORE
ASSEMBLY
SPOOL
BACK

1 Assemble the pieces
2 Sand the components
3 Complete the spools
Cut the pieces with a circular saw and Ease the three main sections apart, Use a 12mm spade bit to drill 10mm
number them, round the corners and then clamp each of them in turn and deep holes for the spool teeth, then
cut the details with a jigsaw. Put the sand the outside smooth using a belt apply PVA adhesive and tap in the
rst and second layer on the base panel, sander. Assemble the core stack, dowels. Apply limewash, then secure
checking the outer edges are ush, then omitting the central spool layer, then the spool layer between the other
secure with screws. Repeat for the third use a rasp and 80 then 120 grit paper layers of the core. Glue the tape plates
and fourth layers. Dont join areas to shape the opening of each spool in position. Sand ush with the spool
where the back and sides overlap. into a smooth curve. layer and apply varnish stain.
CLAMP
DRAWER
SIDE
SHORT
DRAWER SIDE
BASE JIGSAW
DRAWER
BACK
BASE
CUT
PVA LINE
DRAWER ADHESIVE
SIDE LONG
BACK
ACRYLIC
LIP SHEET
GROOVE

4 Make the drawer
5 Glue the layers
6 Add the top and legs
Use a circular saw to cut a 3 x 3mm Separate the sides and back of the table. Use a jigsaw on low revs with the
groove 9mm from the base of the On a at surface, apply PVA adhesive pendulum action switched off to cut
drawer front. Secure the drawer back to the base and position the layers, the acrylic to shape. Use a coping saw
to the sides using adhesive and screws, securing them with screws. Secure the to cut the openings in the interface
then attach the base, leaving a 3mm drawer runners and glue the core in covers, securing with adhesive. Apply
lip at the front. Apply adhesive and slot position, then add the top. Sand the two coats of clear polyurethane, then
the drawer into the groove on the back top and base ush with the openings cut the legs to length. Secure them
of the drawer front, adding the handles. and edges of the inner layers. using the supplied screws.

BUILD
CASSETTE TABLE
measurements in mm
OUTER
CORE
CLEAR TOP
INTERFACE
COVER
INNER
CORE
TAPE TOP
PLATES
SPOOL
TEETH SHORT
BACK
LONG
SPOOL SIDE
SPOOL BACK
FRONT
LONG LONG
SHORT RAILED SIDE BACK
SIDE
INNER
CORE
LONG RAILED SHORT RAILED

SIDE SIDE
OUTER
CORE SHORT
SIDE
LONG RAILED
SIDE
For the templates to make

this cassette table, visit SHORT
DRAWER SIDE
handyman.net.au/80s-projects BACK
LEG LEG
BASE
DRAWER INTERFACE
BASE COVER
LEG
DRAWER
HANDLES
DRAWER
RUNNER
CUTTING LIST
PART SIZE NO Spool back 600 x 106 x 17 1
Plywood Drawer face 635 x 80 x 9 1
Long back 1000 x 100 x 17 2 Drawer back 600 x 55 x 9 1
Short back 624 x 100 x 17 2 Drawer sides 230 x 55 x 17 2
Long sides 610 x 188 x 17 2 Drawer base 600 x 242 x 3 1
Short sides 510 x 188 x 17 2 Drawer handles 130 x 80 x 17 2
Long railed sides 610 x 198 x 17 2 Tape plates 125 x 88 x 9 4 FASTENERS
Short railed sides 510 x 198 x 17 2 Interface covers 795 x 150 x 9 2 TYPE USE
Top/base 1000 x 610 x 9 2 Dowel Timber screws, Securing layers
Outer core 570 x 180 x 9 2 Spool teeth 20 x 12 12 30mm x 8g
Inner core 600 x 180 x 17 2 Acrylic Timber screws, Drawer back
Spool front 600 x 74 x 17 1 Clear top 1000 x 610 x 6 1 20mm x 4g to sides

SAFETY TIP
The tail n extends just
150mm from the doors GO FOR
to stop the cabinet from
falling over without
being a trip hazard. LAUNCH
Persuading kids to put away
their toys can be a battle, but
giving them a rocket storage
cabinet makes the job a lot more fun.
We used an orbiter vehicle (OV)
from a NASA space shuttle as the
2 inspiration for this cabinet. The shape

of the aerofoils and fuselage were
simplied, but the overall proportions
are faithful to the original orbiter.
The cabinet was built as a carcass
attached to a backing sheet cut into
the silhouette of the fuselage and wing
$337 shape, called the planform. The doors

and cabin are clad in Corute, a plastic
version of corrugated cardboard.
The vertical
stabiliser is often
referred to as a tail
n for simplicity,
even by pilots
Materials
Timber
$164
Paint, ller, marker
$96
Screws, tacks, hinges
$39
Self-adhesive sheet
$11
Corflute
$9
Copolymer sealant
$7
Chrome cabinet pulls
$4
Magnetic catch
$3
Plastic tumblers
$2
Dowel
$2
TOTAL
$337

BUILD
Finishing touches TOOLS
JIGSAW, DRILL,
To decorate the orbiter vehicle,
download the cabin markings,
CIRCULAR SAW
then print them on self-adhesive
paper and apply to the cabinet.
The easiest way to mark the
details on the wing trailing edges
is to simply draw them on with
a paint marker such as a Posca.
Plastic drink tumblers from
the supermarket painted black
make excellent engine nozzles.
To keep the doors shut and
make them easier to open, attach
a magnetic catch and a pair of
brushed chrome cabinet pulls.
GUNS
PICKS
Zenith 8g x 30mm
Zinc-pl ated Long
Thread Timber
Screws, $4 for 30
itw proline.com.au .
lashes
W hite Knight Sp
er-b as ed En am el , $14 for
Wat
kn igh tp ain ts.com.au
250ml. white
Boyle Industrie
s 30 0 x 10 0 x 50
Bals a Wood, $16.
mm Get more 80s-inspired furniture
boyleindustries
.com.au
Like us at facebook.com/HandymanMagazine

BUILD THE CABINET
DOOR
CLAMP SHORT RIB
STILE
JIGSAW
SHELF
DOOR RIB CARCASS PULL

SIDE SAW
SHELF STILE
HALF-LAP
HOUSING

1 Cut the pieces
2 Assemble the carcass
3 Build the doors
Make templates for the shelves, door Clamp the shelves between the sides, Use a pull saw or dovetail saw to make
ribs and cabin supports, marking them securing with screws and PVA adhesive. relief cuts for 17 x 15mm half-lap
on plywood and cutting out with Secure the divider/tail n between the housings in the stiles, then chisel out
a jigsaw. Use a pull saw to tidy up the base and rst shelf with adhesive and the waste. Position the stiles and apply
notches in the ends of the door ribs. screws. Trim the base ribs to t on each adhesive, gluing all but the base pair
Cut the sides using a circular saw. side of the tail with 2mm clearance. of ribs into the housings.
CABIN
FRAME
SIDE DOOR
TAIL FIN FRAME
CUT
INFILL STILE MAIN DOOR TACKS
CLAMP CLADDING
SLIDING
BASE BEVEL
DOOR RIB

4 Add the inll stiles
5 Build the cabin frame
6 Clad the doors and cabin
Apply adhesive to the door frames, Use a sliding bevel to mark 23 angles Prime and paint the door and cabin
then attach the inll stiles and base on the sides, cutting a 17 x 15mm notch frames. Use a utility knife to cut the
ribs, clamping in position. Use a jigsaw in each end. Bevel the front and back Corute, scoring along the crease lines
to cut a blank for the nose cap from an supports at 50 with a belt sander, then of the cabin. Bend the cladding to
offcut of 90 x 35mm timber and shape cut matching notches. Glue the collar to shape then use copolymer sealant
it into a convex prole using a rasp. the back and supports to the sides. and cut tacks to secure it.
PIANO
HINGE
OMS
DOWEL NOZZLE
PLANFORM
SIDE
NOSE OMS
CAP POD
NON-MORTISE
HINGE

7 Secure the planform
8 Hang the doors
9 Attach the engines
Mark the planform on a sheet of 12mm Cut a groove in the nose cap edge for Cut the OMS pods and make the nozzles
plywood, then cut out using a jigsaw. the barrel of a non-mortise hinge. Sand using a 35mm holesaw. Shape the pods
Apply primer and two coats of paint to with 120 grit paper, then prime and and nozzles using 80 grit paper, drilling
the carcass, leaving the back edges, then paint. Glue and screw to the front cabin 8mm holes to secure with dowels and
paint the planform. Leave to dry. Secure support and hang on the planform. adhesive. Attach the pods using sealant,
the carcass with adhesive and screws. Hang the cargo bay doors using hinges. and the main nozzles with screws.

BUILD
ORBITER CABINET
measurements in mm
NOSE CAP
FASTENERS
FRONT CABIN TYPE USE
SUPPORT
Countersunk timber Carcass
screws, 30mm x 8g assembly,
planform
attachment
CABIN
FRAME Countersunk timber Hinges
BACK CABIN SIDES
SUPPORT screws, 18mm x 4g
Round head screws, Main engine
CABIN TOP CABIN
CLADDING SHELF COLLAR 15mm x 8g nozzles
Cut tacks, 12 x 1.6mm Cladding
Non-mortise hinge,
Nose cap
50mm
STILE STILE
Piano hinges, 915mm Cargo doors
DOOR
RIB CUTTING LIST
PART SIZE NO
Plywood
SHORT
STILES Sides 1000 x 150 x 17 2
CABINET Shelves and 300 x 266 x 17 5
HANDLES
door ribs
SHELF
Divider/ tail n 450 x 370 x 17 1
SIDE
Front cabin 100 x 80 x 17 1
MAIN DOOR
CLADDING PLANFORM
support
Back cabin 300 x 300 x 17 1
support
Cabin collar 300 x 300 x 17 1
Planform 1500 x 900 x 12 1
DAR Pine
DIVIDER/ Stiles 1000 x 30 x 18 2
TAIL FIN
Short stiles 745 x 30 x 18 2
Inll stiles 235 x 30 x 18 2
OMS
POD
INFILL Cabin frame 355 x 30 x 18 2
STILE sides
OMS
Nose cap 90 x 80 x 35 1
POD Corute
Main door 735 x 225 x 3 2
cladding
Rear door 265 x 215 x 3 2
OMS OMS For the templates to make cladding
NOZZLE NOZZLE
REAR DOOR this orbiter cabinet, visit
CLADDING
Cabin cladding 480 x 480 x 3 1
handyman.net.au/80sprojects Balsa
OMS pods 250 x 100 x 50 2
OMS nozzles 50 x 35 diameter 2

BLOCKED
OUT
DIY TIP Released for the rst time in
Have the plywood cut 1984, Tetris has become widely
regarded as one of the greatest
into 230mm strips by
electronic games of all time.
your supplier for a small Based on the game, this shelving
fee, greatly speeding up systems bold colours and unusual
the assembly process. shapes make it a real attention-grabber,
and the pieces can be rearranged into
literally millions of combinations.
The dimensions of the Tetrominoes
are based on multiples of 230mm
cubes, meaning they will t together
even when arranged at right angles.
The ve basic shapes can be
cut from a single sheet of structural
17mm plywood, using a circular saw
and straightedge guide.
Materials
Structural plywood
$97
Dowels
$21
Timber ller
$9
Primer, sealer,
undercoat
$29
Spray paint
$52
Clear polyurethane
$41
TOTAL
$249
Make a jig Measure the offset distance

If you cut the pieces DIY from a full from the saw blade to the side of
sheet of plywood, cut the lengths the base plate, using it to secure
rst, then make a jig from scrap a 600 x 70 x 35mm length of timber
timber to trim them to 230mm wide. so the cut line will be exactly 230mm
Secure a 450 x 42 x 19mm stop from the stop piece.
piece at the edge of a 600 x 400 x 12mm Clamp another 17mm offcut
plywood offcut using screws, then against the side of each workpiece
add strips of 17mm plywood on each you cut, to correct for the size
side, perpendicular to the stop. differences of the various pieces.

BUILD
TOOLS 2
JIGSAW, CIRCULAR SAW,
DRILL, BELT SANDER
$249
GUNS
PICKS
Dulux 1 Step Prim Ryobi One+ 18V Br itish Paint s Sp
ray
er, $115
Sealer & Underc
oat, $27 Cordless Jigsaw, Easy, about $7 fo
r 310g.
i.c om .au
for 500ml. dulux.c skin only. ryob br itishpaint s.com
.au
om.au

BUILD THE SHELVES
TOP
PRIMER COAT
BRAD-POINT
BIT
CIRCULAR
SAW TOP
CUTTING COAT
JIG
MASKING
TAPE
CORNER
F CLAMP BLOCK
DROP
CORNER SHEET
F CLAMP BLOCK
WORKPIECE

1 Cut the pieces
2 Assemble the corners
3 Paint the interiors
Use a circular saw to cut the individual Apply PVA adhesive to the joining The interiors of the shapes will be
pieces. Mark the interlocking notches pieces of the internal corners of the awkward to paint after assembly, so
on the ends with a combination shelving. Align them at 90 using the apply the nish rst. Sand lightly with
square, cutting them with a jigsaw. L-shaped corner blocks held in position 120 grit paper, wipe clean, then mask
Cut square 90 x 90 x 45mm blocks with F clamps. Use an 8mm brad off the interlocking surfaces. Use
from 90 x 45mm timber, then cut point bit to bore 40mm holes in the a brush or roller to apply primer, then
a notch out of one corner of each overlapping joints. Glue in 38 x 8mm nish with two coats of spray paint
block, making the blocks into L shapes. dowels, leave to dry, then ll over. in the colours of your choice.
CORNER
CLAMP
PULL
SAW
CLAMP
BELT
SANDER
PVA
ADHESIVE
DOWEL
BLOCK
F CLAMP
DOWEL
HOLES HAMMER
DOWEL

4 Complete the pieces
5 Trim and sand
6 Sand and nish
Test-t the pieces and check for Once the adhesive is dry, remove Use a belt sander with an 80 grit
square, then use corner clamps to the clamps and use a pull saw or then 120 grit belt to sand the corners
hold the pieces in alignment. Use oscillating tool to cut the dowels smooth and even up the edges,
a drill with an 8mm brad point bit ush with the exterior surfaces. nishing with a random orbital
to bore holes 36mm deep into the Apply timber ller in a suitable colour sander. Mask off the interiors and
joints. Loosen the clamps and apply to cover any gaps and imperfections, apply stain or clear polyurethane to
adhesive then tap in the dowels then sand any excess ller ush with the exterior surfaces of the shapes,
and leave to dry. the surface using 120 grit paper. sanding lightly between coats.

BUILD
TETRIS SHELVES
measurements in mm
CUTTING LIST
PART SIZE NO
Plywood
O shape 460 x 230 x 17 4

2 I shape 920 x 230 x 17 2
230 x 230 x 17 2
L and J shapes 690 x 230 x 17 2

477 x 230 x 17 2

3 460 x 230 x 17 2
17 247 x 230 x 17 2

1 115 230 x 230 x 17 4

6 S and Z shapes 460 x 230 x 17 4
247 x 230 x 17 8
230 x 230 x 17 4

5
7 T shape 690 x 230 x 17 1
247 x 230 x 17 4
230 x 230 x 17 3
JOINT DETAIL

4

3
460

1
460 I SHAPE
920
460
230
230 O SHAPE
230
6
230 230 230
S SHAPE
230
230
230
230
230 230
230 T SHAPE
690
230

4
460

5 230
230 230 230
230 230 230

460
230

7
460
690
230
460
230
230 230 L SHAPE
230 230 230 230
J SHAPE 230 Z SHAPE

1
2
3
CONTACT
ADHESIVE
TABLETOP LAMINATE
SWATCH
MDF
BOARD
Design a new top for an old frame

1 Secure the swatches
using laminate floor swatches Use the supplied notched applicator
to apply contact adhesive to a 9mm
WORDS FRANK GARDNER STYLING GEMA BENEITEZ MAIN PICTURE SUE FERRIS MDF board and the underside of the
swatches, then leave until touch dry.
Position the swatches, aligning their
T
he frame of this coffee of colours and grains were bought for edges carefully, then press rmly.
table was in good condition, $1 each from the hardware store.
but the glass top had been The swatches were arranged on TABLESAW
broken and needed replacing. a 9mm thick MDF backing board

Cutting a new piece of glass to and attached with contact adhesive.
size would have been expensive, so To cut the swatch board into pieces,
the top was replaced with a creative a tablesaw was used to maintain 90
solution for a fraction of the cost. corners and straight edges. The pieces
Ten 355 x 195mm laminate were then attached to a second MDF LAMINATE
SWATCH
oating oor swatches in a variety board to create the tabletop.

2 Cut the pieces
Use a tablesaw to cut the swatches
The new tabletop cost less than $30 into rectangles and squares of varying
sizes, maintaining pressure against
and took just three hours to make the fence to ensure square cuts.
TIP Use a push stick to guide the board
past the blade for safety.
WHAT YOU
NEED PVA
ADHESIVE
LAMINATE BACKING
PIECE BOARD

3 Make the top
Arrange the laminate pieces on
a second piece of 9mm MDF board,
4mm
Selleys Kw ik Gr
ip Horizontal Ryobi 1800W 25 securing them in position with PVA
.
Contac t Adhesiv
e, $11 for Table Saw, $479 adhesive, keeping the butt joints tight.
250ml. selleys.co ry ob i.c om .au
m.au Clamp until dry, then secure the top
to the table frame using screws.

BUILD
Finishing the top
The MDF-backed laminate
pieces were arranged in
a pattern on a second 9mm board
that was cut to t the table frame.
When the swatch pattern
was complete, the pieces were
secured using PVA adhesive.
The new 18mm thick top
was dropped into the table frame
recess and secured to the metal
support lugs underneath using
15mm x 6g timber screws.
DIY TIP
When cutting the pieces
for the tabletop, face the
laminate swatches
upwards on the tablesaw
for a clean edge cut.
The new lamina

te tabletop br ing
s char ac ter and
individuality to
this living space.

SAVE CASH
AND our ite old pie c e s of furnitu r e o
b
r
a
s
r
c
g
o
a
u
in
r
s
o p-shops,
to do up
Revive fav c o u n c il c le a n-ups for
and
garage sales
EITEZ
G GEMA BEN
R E S SU E FE RRIS ST YLIN
IC TU
Y MARYON P
AND TR AC
MANDA SHAW
PROJECTS A
A
re you bored with the same Here we created a unique planter
old bedside tables? Before out of an old metal colander, gave
getting rid of them and outdated mahogany bedside cabinets
buying new ones, consider upcycling a new paint nish and turned a wicker
them for a totally new look. table into an oversized ottoman.
Amanda & Tracy
Or maybe youve been hanging We also transformed a plain basket
onto that favourite wicker table with into a place t for a princess pussycat.
the cracked glass top, but dont really You can use the same techniques
know what to do with it now. to make over just about anything.
EXPERT
Whatever you have in your home SECRETS
When giving furniture
that you think is past its prime can a distressed paint
easily be given a new lease of life nish, sand the edges
lightly until you achieve
the desired look.
TOP PICKS
1
2
3
4
W hites Outdoor
460mm Zinc
Pl ated Hanging
Basket Chain
Set, $3. whitesg
roup.com.au
Brunnings Coconut
1 Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Paint + Primer in Satin Ivory Silk,
$12 for 340g. rustoleum.com.au 2 Dulux Duramax Metallic
Fibre, $7 for 5L.
Finish in Gold, about $14 for 325g. dulux.com.au
3 White Knight
brunnings.com.au Flexovit 10 0mm
x 1m Medium Super Chrome, $22 for 300g. whiteknightpaints.com.au
120 Gr it Timber 4 Dulux Duramax Enamel in Endless Dusk, about $11 for 340g.
Sandpaper
Roll, $2 . saint-g
obain.com.au

DECORATE
COLANDER
PLANTER
You may have an old colander like this
lying at the bottom of your kitchen
drawers or even packed away in storage.
If not, they can often be picked
up second-hand for about $10. Or
better still, look for a free one on
the next council clean-up day. This
chipped red one was a great nd
among a heap of discarded items.
Weve put it to good use as a novel
planter and hung it from a tree.
All you need is exterior spray paint,
a chain with an S-hook, coconut bre,
potting mix and a plant.
Attach the chain by inserting the
attached clips into the holes around
the colander. Spray it in metallic gold
paint, line the base and sides with
coconut bre, then add the potting
mix and a owering plant.
PICTURES (BEFORE) TRACY MARYON (CENTRE LEFT) AMANDA SHAW
For good co
verage, ap
ply two coat
s of spray pa
int.
After
Painted and potte
d up, the shiny go
adds colour to a ld planter
dull corner of th
e garden.
Before Handyman.net.au FEBRUARY 2016 99

VINTAGE
CABINETS
er to rub back .
Apply a light nal coat so it is easi
These outdated mahogany bedside

cabinets were bought at a garage sale
for $20 and badly needed a new nish.
We chose a beach-house distressed
nish with sky-blue and neutral shades
and also applied primer so we could
bring in a white colour element when
the two top coats were rubbed back.
Remove the drawer handles, then
prime the cabinets and drawers. Apply
a coat of blue paint, allow to dry, then
spray with a coat of beige paint.
Sand the edges of the cabinets and
drawers with medium-grit sandpaper
to reveal the blue paint, primer and
a little of the wood grain underneath.
We sprayed the original handles
in a light-grey colour and rubbed them
back to give them a softer silvery look.
Before
PICTURES (TOP RIGHT, BEFORE) AMANDA SHAW
After
Pr imed and pa
inted, this pa
ir of bedside
ace again.
pl
have pr ide of
cabinets now

DECORATE
WICKER
OTTOMAN
After
A lick of pain
t and a comfy
give this old cushion
table a new pu
rpose.
See more easy upcycling projects

Visit pinterest.com/DIYHandyman
Discovered by the side of the road,

this sorry-looking relic was missing
its top. As replacing the glass could
be costly, we decided to give it a new
All it took was
function as an ottoman. fabric and foam
PICTURE (BEFORE) AMANDA SHAW
All it needed was high-density

foam, which was cut to t by the to transform
supplier, and a length of fabric.
The wicker base was then sprayed
this preloved
in a gloss white to freshen it up. The piece into a great
fabric was cut to t around the foam
and stitched in position.
outdoor accessory Before
DECORATE
PUSSYCAT DIY TIP

Choose paint and fabric
BASKET
in colours and textures
to suit the breed and
temperament of your cat.
Does your precious feline friend need Make a mattress by covering

a comfy place to hang out, somewhere a cushion insert with fabric. We
Before
special she can call her own? Then this chose a sequinned material in dark
posh palace could be just the thing. pink for contrast and extra glam.
And should she need to visit the To decorate, tie two cat collars
vet, an incredible carriage awaits her. onto the door, then secure the
Found in bad repair, this basket was door to the top of the basket with
lovingly renovated with paint, fabric, lengths of ribbon, tied in bows.
a cushion insert, ribbon, cat collars, Stick particleboard letters,
particleboard letters and glitter, plus available from Kmart, on the top
the essential mouse house guest. of the basket to form a name plate.
Spray the basket all over in pink For extra bling, add diamant
and paint the handle in a contrasting self-adhesive transfers to the letters
grey colour. To give a glittery effect, we and handle of the basket, available
used a specialty spray paint in silver. from arts and craft stores.
PICTURE (BEFORE) AMANDA SHAW
After
De co ra te d w ith paint and
br ight access
ca ll th
or ies,
is home.
ou d ca t w ou ld be happy to
102 FEBRUARY 2016 Australian Handyman any pr
On sale 25 Fe
bruary

$ !
$!# & $ !
$! # ! !

# !#!
$ # # #
( $ # ! % $'$ ( # # &#
& # !# &! ! # !
#! '! !
# #
& # !!

%% &
&# & !$$#!
# ! &
'# !
$$ #

!# #! #!

DECORATE
B unnings
Find it at
FEATURE T
o add visual interest to your
home, create a feature wall
using wallpaper or paint. Its
the ideal way to create a focal point
WALL in almost any room or space.

A feature wall needs to be large
enough to take your chosen colour,
pattern or effect. It could be an alcove,
a backdrop to shelving or artwork,
or even a chimney breast.
TIP Avoid walls with doors or windows.
1 2
r
Select the effect the pape
W hen choosing
wall colour or pa
consider the rest
of th
to
e
a feature
ro
ac
ttern,
om and
hi eve. to instantl
Pick the
Painting a
is a cost-
paint
single wa
effec tive
ll
w ay
3
pick u p
Choose
If you wa
s a m
create
feature u
th
nt to
ples to s
e
sing wall
paper,
ee which
wor k be s
t.
the impact you wa
nt y tr ansform
a room. e r n s a n d colours s a nd
ite co lo ur or Get a sele patt desig n
Choose a favo ur c tion of c e a lot of
ta ry pa ttern. char ts an
d paint s w
olour T here ar you c a n u s e
go for a complem
en
the hardw atches fro r e s o n offer, or
catching are store m tex tu per.
For a really eye- and use th le wallpa
options to test dif em a paintab snt have
ef fect, explore ot
he r ferent co wall doe
sed metal ,
lours. A feature ish in
pr es You can b tured n
such as sheets of paint the
uy sample
pots and b e b o ld , as a tex a c t.
br ick cladding. colour on to has imp
timber panels or the wall to c anv a s e s u tr a l to nes also
see if you or ne
like it.

PREMIUM PROTECTION FOR YOUR
EXTERIOR TIMBER THIS SUMMER
TANNIN & OIL WOOD CLEANER BLX-PRO

Remover extracts oils Rejuvenates, cleans Quick drying water
and tannins from new and brightens grey based finish for all
hardwoods. weathered timber. interior & exterior
timber surfaces.
For more information call 1 300 745 536 or www.sikkens.com.au

facebook.com/sikkensaustralia
youtube.com/user/sikkensaus
sikkensaustralia
BUYERS GUIDE
Take the DIY option for your home improvement
projects by choosing the best tools and equipment
from our market round-up
ryobi.com.au
A multi-purpose iller for patching,

levelling and illing wood looring, trims,
plaster and concrete.
Range of sizes from 500g to 20Kg
Dries hard, can be drilled
sawn and sanded
THE TOOL BOX THAT No shrinking or cracking
REALLY STACKS UP. Hardwearing
Unlimited shelf life, just add
FSA/ TECH0285
water and mix as needed

Value for money
AGWP 1012 BHMQ
Tool Blox, the clever new storage system from RYOBI, lets
you assemble new units as needed. The units lock together Available at leading hardware & paint stores
to create a modular system and you can even add wheels.
www.agnewswaterputty.com.au
For classifieds bookings contact Alek Jovanoski on (02) 9018 6255 or email alek.jovanoski@rd.com
SikaFiller One Strike Maxi

No Building layers
No Shrink
Ready-mixed lightweight filler
In only 30 minutes: cracks, holes and joints

1300 22 33 48 in walls can be repaired and painted
aus.sika.com
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With Summer here its time to get busy outdoors
Portas outdoor treated pine mouldings are suitable
for outdoor, above-ground use.
Protected from rot, fungal decay and termite attack.
H3 treated with ACQ and is ideal for playgrounds, Powered by Briggs & Stratton
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BUYERS GUIDE
The ultimate latch-alarm for front and side gates
VERTICAL PULL
Combined gate latch
NEW: VISUAL & electronic alarm.
unlatched alarm
1RWLHVRIIDPLO\IULHQGV
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www.seasol.com.au
Plan ahead for mid-autumn colour
with these bloomers.
FRENCH MARIGOLD
AGERATUM
IMPATIENS
LOBELIA
NIGELLA
Nigella
Get the vegetable patch ready for

autumn cooking.
SPRING ONIONS
BEETROOT
CARROT
RADISH
TURNIP
Stay on top of watering to enjoy the

last blooms and crops of summer Carrots
PICTURES ISTOCK (BACKGROUND) THINKSTOCK
CHOOSE the right plants for your

garden and climate, page 114.
HARVEST herbs and freeze or dry
them for winter cooking, page 120.
ADD summer stars for an instant
tropical touch, page 128.

GARDEN
WHATS IN
COLOUR
jolt
Dianthus
DIANTHUS JOLT Growing to 50cm

high and spreading to 35cm, this
dianthus comes in Pink and Cherry.
A season-long performer, it can
withstand our hot summer conditions
and continues owering without
setting seed. Give it a position in full
sun in beds or pots, using the cut
owers for vase arrangements.
HEMEROCALLIS STELLA BELLA
This stunning but hardy dwarf day
lily features yellow-gold owers on
long stems with evergreen foliage.
Blooming for up to six months, it
grow to 40 x 40cm and has low water
needs once established. Mass plant for
a stunning low-maintenance display
in a position with full sun.
Stella bella
TAKE semi-rip
e cuttings
e late
Stay on top of thes bs. of azalea, camellia
and
rd en in g jo zo nes.
summer ga
bu lbs gardenia in warm rly
ORDER sp ri ng gu la
MOW lawns re
pl an tin g. se ed ing.
for autumn to prevent weeds
CHEC K for an
y water at ur e
ADD a water fe
restrictions in yo ur area. e area
soil for and landscape th
PREPARE the display.
d for a lush spring
autumn ower an KEEP mulch to
pped
pl an tin gs . st ure
vegetable
fo r pe sts up to retain moi
SPR AY ro se s ee ds.
ed. and suppress w
or disease if need

GARDEN
rden health.
epellent so il for good ga
Treat water-r
Summer edibles need fertilising,

as do certain bloomers.
SPRING-FLOWERING CLIMBERS
LEAFY VEGETABLES
PAWPAW
CITRUS
ROSES
Water smart, not hard

To ensure plants are getting the water
Citrus
they need in summer, its important to
check soil is absorbing water properly.
Seasol has a wetter and conditioner
that actually improves the condition Trim and shape these plants
of soil. Just use a watering can or hose before autumn starts.
it on for healthy, hydrated plants. FLOWERED SHRUBS
il Wetter MOCK ORANGE
Seasol Super So
nd iti on er , ab ou t $19 for APRICOT TREES
& Co
. se as ol .com.au WEIGELA
a tw in pack
BOOK ABELIA
CLUB
Weigela
Pick these summer fruits off

the tree and vine.
STRAWBERRIES
NECTARINES
ORANGES PICTURES (RIGHT TOP, MIDDLE, BOTTOM) ISTOCK
Juicing has many health benets Green thumbs with a sweet tooth BANANAS
and its a great way to use your can put their garden to delicious GRAPES
homegrown crops, but creating use with Grow Your Own Cake by
tasty combinations can be hard. keen baker and horticulturalist
The Perfect Juice by dietitian Holly Farrell (Quarto, $35).
Gabrielle Maston (New Holland, Featuring 50 Recipes from
$25) will help you experiment with Plot to Plate, this book will make
vegies, fruits, herbs and spices to you look at your vegie patch and
make nutritious juices. fruit trees in a whole new way.
Grapes

lac ement
P erfection
p d the right spot for plants
Fin rden will be a great and
r ga succ
you W O R D S C HER Y L M A D D O C K S ess
PICTURE ISTOCK

GARDEN
S
electing the right plants for your
BUDGET TIP garden is not always an easy task.
Just take a walk around the
You can avoid wasting
block and youll see all the gardening
money removing a plant or
blunders. Climbers bringing down
xing any damage it may fences, trees uprooting paths and plants
have caused by making going feral and overtaking the garden.
the correct choices. Plant placement is one of the key
steps to having a thriving garden.
No matter how intrinsically beautiful,
vigorous or colourful it is, a plant must
have the climate and soil, light or shade
and dryness or moisture that suits it.
Buy from your loc

al nurser y as they
stock what grow
s well in your ar
ea.
Do your research
To make sure you have
the right plant for the
right place, always do your
research, rather than just buying
it rst and then trying to place it.
Every plant will be Dont buy a plant because
its very vigorous and hardy as,
able to reach its full in the long run, it may not be
potential and purpose suitable for your garden.

When making a choice,
if you pick the climate plays a big part, as
PICTURES ISTOCK
ideal position for it a plant that is very well behaved

in a cool climate could get out
of control in a hot climate.

C r e e p in g
fi g
A wonder fu
l climber, cr
(Ficus pum eeping g
ila) is a self
aerial roots -c linger, usin
to attach it g
UP SIDE Th se lf to a wall.
e small you
W is te ri a stunning against the ng leaves li
e
s pl ant looks wall, effect
This deciduou spring. it and crea iv el y covering
CLIMBERS with its pend
UPSIDE Grow
ulous bloom s
n over a perg
w
in
ola, it
in ter sun.
DOWNSIDE
to be pruned
ting a prett
y pic ture.
Creeping
g needs
shade an d constantly
offers summer cl im ber, send out lo or it will
vigorous ng woody b
DOWNSIDE A ng or it will larger, less ranches wit
h
ust be stro -appealing
the suppor t m w n. Pr un e leaves.
pulled do
eventually be la te su m mer
spring and
long canes in Th e ro ot s
Versatile, visually impressive and r contro l.
to keep it unde e pi pe s.
useful, climbing plants are invaluable de sewer ag
can al so inva
decorating tools. Used with ingenuity,
they can soften dominating walls
while taking up limited ground space.
They provide a creative solution as
well when used in conjunction with
pergolas to provide privacy and shade.
But when choosing a climber, you
need to make sure that its growth habit
is equal to the intended task and that
the plant is suitable for its support.
Bear this in mind, in particular,
with plants such as wisteria, potato
vine, bougainvillea and creeping g.
P o t a to v
in e
The prett y
white ow
throughou ers appea
t spring an r
UP SIDE A d summer.
potato vin
for provid e is useful
ing quick co
DOWNSID ve r.
E It becom
invasive a es very
nd can rap
every thing idly overr u
in it s path n
kept unde unless it is
r control b
pruning. It y regular
has the po
become an tential to
le a
environme
B o u g a in v il
PICTURES ISTOCK (BOTTOM LEFT) ALAMY
ntal weed for

. looks fantastic
This favour ite fu l br acts.
red in colour
months, cove t, it w ill
ht-toler an
UPSIDE Droug pu t on
ec t and still
thrive on negl s great
wer show. It
a fabulous o es.
walls and fenc
for covering the
or ns grow on
DOWNSIDE Th yo u pl ant
care where
stems, so take , w hi ch are
ater shoots
it. Trim long w w er s.
oduce few o
thor ny and pr
116
GARDEN
GROW TIP HEDGES
Think carefully before
planting evergreen trees,
as they can permanently
block your neighbours
and your own light.
A green hedge is ideal for hiding ugly
views and providing privacy. But pick
carefully or you could end up in an
unending battle to control its growth.
One of the worst is the Leyland
cypress (X Cupressocyparis leylandii),
which has been the cause of many
neighbourhood disputes.
But aside from upsetting neighbours
by blocking light and views, it is fast
growing and needs constant pruning.
If left unpruned, it can grow to 20m.
There are lots of well-behaved
options, including native lillypilly,
camellia, box-leaved honeysuckle,
pittosporum, oleander, silver-leaved
Teucrium fruticans, photinia, Viburnum
TREES tinus or blue-owering plumbago.

Scented choices such as murraya,
Citrus
osmanthus and port wine magnolia
(Michelia go) will make both you and
your neighbours feel good.
Not only do they provide shade, wind

protection, clean air and a habitat for
wildlife, trees beautify the landscape.
As with plants, they need to be
planted in a spot and climate that suits
them or they may not cope with the
extremes of moisture or temperature
and will never look healthy.
Before buying, research the height,
Viburnum
width and growth habits of a tree at
maturity, as that small stick-like plant
tinus
you took home from the nursery could
reach an enormous height.
Trees, such as jacaranda, casuarina
poplar, liquid amber and g, can also
create problems if planted too close to
foundations or over sewerage pipes.
For details on the distance popular
trees should be planted from sewerage
PICTURES ALAMY
lines, visit watercorporation.com.au.

Citrus, frangipani, owering plum,
crepe myrtle (Indian Summer Series)
and olive are ideal for a small yard.

Cootamundra watt
le
Native garden escapes Pittosporum and the umbrella
Not all invasive plants are imported, as tree (Schefflera actinophylla) have also
when theyre taken out of their natural established themselves in many areas
climate, native plants can also become outside their natural habitats.
weedy. This can happen due to a lack GO INDIGENOUS While a native
of controlling natural inuences. plant garden uses plants from all over
The conditions in their new home the country, an indigenous garden
may be so good that they turn rampant uses those that are local to an area.
and reproduce too freely. Some hakeas, This means they are particularly well
eucalyptus and melaleucas are listed suited to the climate and soil.
as environmental weeds. Check out your local nursery or
Even the wattle, Australias oral ask your local council, as many have
emblem, is implicated. The golden lists of indigenous plants.
wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is on the list, The Australian Native Plants Society
as is the Cootamundra wattle (Acacia (Australia) gives details on indigenous
baileyana), which is now often referred plants, including information on their
to as the cootamongrel wattle. native habitats (anpsa.org.au).
Pittosporum
Spot weed potential

Australias diverse climate
makes it even hard for
experts to know whether or not
an ornamental grown in one area
is invasive in another.
The capacity of some to get
out of control often depends on
the climate and soil type.
One that grows normally in
a perennial border in one state
may act like a complete thug in
another state, or in a different
Umbrella tree climate within that state.
Check with your local council
PICTURES ALAMY
or Weeds Australia (weeds.org.au)

to ensure that a particular plant
is not a problem in your area.

GARDEN
FABULOUS BUT FERAL
These are just a few of the commonly ITALIAN LAVENDER (Lavandula
grown ornamentals that can go feral stoechas) This plant is listed as
in your garden. Theyre also escaping a noxious weed in Victoria and an
from gardens and invading bushland. environmental weed in SA and WA.
WHITE ARUM LILY (Zantedeschia PLANT English or French lavender.
aethiopica) Popular for its glossy FORGET-ME-NOT (Myosotis
leaves and white owers, this is sylvatica) In cool climates, this plant
listed as a noxious weed in WA and can cause problems.
an environmental weed in Victoria, PLANT Perennial forget-me-not
NSW, SA and Tasmania. (Brunnera macrophylla).
PLANT Native crinum. COSMOS (Cosmos bipinnatus)
BUTTERFLY BUSH (Buddleia This annual plant seeds freely and
davidii) The mauve owers of this
shrub attract butteries and it
is a problem in parts of Victoria
and Queensland. Cosmos Glory lily
spreads easily by seed. PLANT Perennial chocolate cosmos.
PLANT Cultivars dont self seed, so BUSY LIZZIE (Impatiens walleriana)
these are good choices. As the common name of this plant
GLORY LILY (Gloriosa superba) indicates, it is spread easily by
This climber with big red and yellow seed and is causing problems in
blooms is a pest in warm climates. NSW and Queensland.
PLANT Lilium. PLANT New Guinea impatiens.
Busy Lizzie
XWWHU \EXVK
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Forget-me-not
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PICTURES ALAMY
r
Italian lavende
R BS
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V
HA T H A ND lp turn
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A the
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e d i
atic ulinar y
se a into a c DDOCKS
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Grow inar y dish ORDS CHERYL MA

n ord W
a
Cheryl
EXPERT
SECRETS
F
lavoursome herbs are must-have
tools in a cooks kitchen kit,
and a dash of herbal air can Grow herbs based on
make all the difference to a meal. what you like to eat.
As well as enhancing your food,
If you favour Asian
herbs are endowed with sumptuous
leaves and owers that introduce food, plant coriander,
delightful fragrances to your garden. lemongrass and basil.
Theyre in abundance at this time
If Italian is your style,
PICTURE ISTOCK
of the year, but any surplus wont go to

waste, as you can dry or freeze them for youll need oregano,
winter when they are scarce. thyme and parsley.

GARDEN
HOW TO GROW DIY TIP
You dont need green thumbs to grow Tie fresh herbs together
most herbs and you dont even need with twine or put dried
a garden, as they grow well in pots
herbs in a muslin bag to
when given adequate space.
Dedicating an area to herbs close
create a bouquet garni to
by the kitchen door is an ideal way flavour soups and stews.
to make night harvesting easy. But
if you dont have room for this, you
can just plant them in the vegetable
patch and owerbeds.
hi ghest.
ncentration is
Coriander, rocket, parsley and
ning when aromatic oil co
mint will tolerate a little shade, but Harvest he rbs in the mor
give other herbs the sunniest position
available, with well-drained soil or
a good-quality potting mix.
Pick herbs re
gu
the summer m larly during
o
branching an nths to promote
d autumn gro
and remove th wth,
e
they appear to owers when
e
usable leaves ncourage new
for the kitche
n.
PICTURES (MAIN) CHERYL MADDOCKS (LEFT) ISTOCK (RIGHT) ALAMY
Use the flowers of

herbs as a pretty
garnish for your
Mint is easy to gr
ow and spreads
very quickly.
culinary creations
WHAT TO beds and
PLANT Chives are ea
containers.
sy to grow in
Gar lic chives
have at
in winter.
nt die down
leaves and do t garnish.
make a grea
The owers summer
the seeds in
GROW Sow e clumps
tumn. Divid
and early au y spring.
year in earl
PERENNIALS ever y second
HARVE ST U
se the leaves
ze in ice cube
fresh, or
tr ays.
While most perennial herbs are chop and free
evergreen, providing leaves all year,
its a good idea to preserve a quantity
for winter when growth is slow.
They like well-drained soil and need
less water than annuals. Feed them in The oval-
shaped le
are used aves of th
spring and summer with a three-month for avou is herb
pasta dis ri n g m e at a
controlled-release fertiliser. hes, and th nd
owers m e small w
ake a gre h ite
GROW Pru at garnish
ne off ow .
when the erheads
y appear fo
of leaves r a g o o d sup p
. Keep the ly
H A RV E S T soil mois
t.
Use the le
freeze in aves fres
oil, or dr y h,
them.
The white base of the leaf is

widely used in Asian cuisine and
the leaves make a refreshing tea.
GROW The 1.5m long leaves
of this easy-to-grow clumping
grass make a statement planted
in garden beds or large pots.
HARVEST Pick the stalks as
needed, either cutting or snapping
them off at ground level.
GROW TIP
Plant herbs near your
Fresh or dried bay leaves are
vegetable garden, as
essential to add avour to soups,
many of the flowers casseroles and stews.
attract bees that will help GROW In a garden bed, this
pollinate your crop. small evergreen tree can
reach a height of 11m, but it
PICTURES ISTOCK
can be pruned lower or shaped

for container cultivation.
HARVEST Use fresh, or freeze
or dry whole leaves.

GARDEN
nt types of
er e ar e m any dif fere d
T h avours, an
w it h a variet y of
m in t shes, po to
ta
ey ar e u se d in A sian di
th it salads.
ces and fr u
salads, sau spot or in
t in a damp
GROW Plan cer of water
.
and in a sau
a pot and st mi-sh ad e.
grown in se
Mint can be le av es fresh,
se the
H A RV E S T U
dr y them.
or freeze or
The leaves of this spreading herb

work well in Italian dishes and
soups and stews. The small purple
owers make a pretty garnish.
GROW Cut off spent owerheads
to encourage more leaves. Harvest
the leaves now for drying to promote
T he gr ey
more growth throughout autumn. -green le
team we ave s of s
ll with du age
HARVEST Use the leaves fresh, c k, poultr
casserole y,
freeze in oil, or dry them. s and s ou
GROW It ps .
ne eds we
an d go o d ll-dr aine
air move d soil
per for m m e nt ar oun
well . Pr u d it to
when the ne back th
o wer s h e stems
H A RV E S ave nish
T Use the ed.
freeze in leaves fr
oil, or dr e sh ,
y them.
e
d other meats, th
Used with lamb an This herb teams well with Italian
eat sprinkled on
leaves are al so gr up. dishes, soups and stews. Lemon
ded to tomato so
roast vegies or ad h thyme goes well with sh and you
s about 1.5m hig
GROW It reache can also grow Pizza thyme.
back. There are
but can be pruned n GROW After owering, lightly
s that can be grow
groundcover type trim to encourage more leaves and
slightly alkaline
in pots. It likes a
PICTURES ISTOCK
extend its life span. The owers

ought-toler ant.
soil and is very dr can be eaten and used as a garnish.
e leaves fresh,
HARVEST Use th HARVEST Use the leaves fresh,
em.
freeze, or dr y th freeze in oil, or dry them.

m t h e
fro ers of
mak l
sea s o
Australias No.1 Selling Liquid

Fertiliser is Now Available
in a Granular!
GARDEN
ANNUALS The parsley
-like leave
s of this her
Treat annual herbs as you would have a mild b
aniseed av
salad vegetables and give them and add to our. Chop
dishes just
plenty of food and water. as heat dim before serv
inishes the ing,
Before planting, enrich the soil GROW It like avour.
s a semi-sh
with compost or cow manure, then in moist so aded spot
il and, if yo
water regularly and feed fortnightly go to seed, u let one pla
it will reap nt
with a soluble complete plant food Sow the se pear annual
eds until ea ly.
to encourage new leaves. H A RV E S T U rly autumn
se the leav .
es fresh.
The leaves, stems, seeds and

roots are used in Asian recipes.
GROW Plant slow-bolting
varieties of coriander, as it
tends to run to seed in hot
weather. In cool weather, it
doesnt bolt to seed as quickly.
HARVEST Use fresh or chop
pes and freeze in ice cube trays.
y different ty
There are man of cooking
d to a variet y
of basil suite hai basil
Lemon or T
st yles. Pl ant
ian cuisine.
if you like As ground
edlings in the
GROW Get se til e
th
the leaves un
now to enjoy
ar rives.
cool weather and
fresh or chop
HARVE ST Use This fast-
growing
cube tr ays. distinctiv herb featu
freeze in ice e feather res
and yello -l ike leave
w o wer s
benecia s that att
l insec ts r a c t
It s bitter into the g
s weet ta a r d en .
mar r y w sting lea
ell with s ve s
GROW Pla eafood.
nt seedli
or lightly ngs in a s
shaded p unny
H A RV E S o s it ion.
T Use the
leaves fr
e sh .
Grow biennial curly or at-leafed
parsley for use in summer salads,
soups and casseroles.
GROW Plant seedlings or
grow from seed. Parsley is
a very greedy herb, so regular
feeding is essential to keep it
PICTURES ISTOCK
producing leaves.
HARVEST Use fresh or chop
and freeze in ice cube trays.

PRESERVING DIY TIP
HERBS When freezing herbs
in ice cube trays, you can
use homemade stock
instead of water to add
extra flavour.
DRYING
Herbs can be dried in dehydrators
or air-dried in bunches. They can
also be dried in the oven.
AIR-DRY Strip the lower leaves from
the stems and tie 6-8 stems together
with a rubber band or twist ties.
Hang in a dry, well-ventilated spot
until the leaves are dry and crumbly.
Remove and store in an airtight tin or
bottle away from bright light.
Air-drying ensures that the herbs
maintain their essential oils.
OVEN-DRY Strip the leaves from the
stems and spread on an oven tray. Put
in the oven at its lowest setting, leaving
the door ajar to let moisture escape.
After 30 minutes, turn over and
leave for a further 30 minutes or until
dry. Remove from the oven and allow
to cool. Store in an airtight container.
Dried herbs keep

their taste for
about a year
der and dill

a ra w ay, fe nnel, corian ny dishes.
C a
e added to m n the seed
s e e d s c an b este m w he
To dry, cut th n. Tie 3-4 stems
row
heads turn b ang upside down in
a n d h the
together he n dr y, separate rs.
a g . W
a paper b containe
e d s a nd s tore in airtight
se
F

GARDEN
FREEZING
Chop herbs and freeze in ice cube trays
or leave whole and put in freezer bags.
IN WATER Pack chopped herbs such
as basil, coriander, parsley and chives
in ice cube trays, add water and freeze.
In winter, avour soups, risottos,
sauces and stews with the herb cubes.
IN OIL Pack ice cube trays about
two-thirds full of chopped herbs and
pour over extra virgin olive oil. You
can also use melted, unsalted butter.
This is a great way to store herbs
like sage, rosemary, thyme and oregano.
For a casserole or stew, cook onions
and garlic in the herb-infused oil so
the aromas carry through your dish.
Transfer the ice cubes
WHOLE LEAVES Pick the stems of to freezer bags to
herbs and wash under cold water,
then place in a salad spinner or pat free up your trays
dry with paper towel. Remove the
leaves and put in freezer bags.
Stir pesto throug

h a bowl of pasta
to get dinner on
the table in a hurr
y.
While basil is
tr
in pesto, you aditionally used
can make it w
other herbs. ith
Tr
or coriander, y parsley, mint
or use a mixtu
Put 2 cups he re.
cloves, cup rbs, 2 garlic
p
cup parme ine nuts and
san in a blend
With the moto er.
gradually add r running,

olive oil in a st cup extra virgin
eady stream
a smooth mix until
tu
in an air tight re forms. Place
co
refrigerate fo ntainer and
r up to a wee
k.

The bold and
the beautiful
Plant these spectacular summer stars to
give your garden an exotic tropical touch
WORDS CHERYL MADDOCKS
B
ig, bold and beautiful is the way
many of our summer owers
can be described. And sitting
in the garden among large bright
blooms and tropical-looking foliage
is one of the seasons delights.
Think clumps of colourful cannas,
tall owering Gymea lilies and
exotic-looking gingers, and you
will start to picture the scene. These
are the types of plants that will add
glamour and pizzazz to your garden.
PICTURE ALAMY
h.
s can grow up to 5m hig
Heat-loving heliconia
GARDEN
CANNA
This perennial displays its blooms and GROW TIP
bold foliage during summer and makes While drought tolerant,
a big impact in warm and cold climates.
cannas look their best
There are many hybrids of Canna
x generalis in a range of ower and leaf
when grown in moist
colours. Some species are aquatic and soil thats enriched with
look effective planted around ponds. compost or cow manure.
POSITION Most like a sunny spot,
but off-white owering varieties prefer
dappled shade. Avoid windy locations.
PLANT Position the rhizomes so they
sit just under the original soil level.
They can be grown in large containers
using a good-quality potting mix.
GROW Feed in early spring with
a controlled-release fertiliser. Water
often in dry spells and keep mulched
with sugar cane or lucerne hay.
Cut back to the ground in late
winter, leaving the new young shoots,
as they will ower early next season. Mass plant
PROPAGATE Divide the clumps every
three years. Dig up the rhizomes late
cannas in blocks
winter or early spring, pull into smaller of a single colour
pieces and replant at the same depth.
for impact in
garden beds
With bright
tangerine bl
ooms, Tropi
canna is a
striking feat
ure plant.
TROPICANNA
CANNA
PICTURES (TOP) CHERYL MADDOCKS (BOTTOM LEFT, BOTTOM RIGHT) ALAMY
The leaves are just as amboyant

as the owers when it comes to cannas
from the Tropicanna Series.
Tropicanna has multi-hued
foliage in shades of gold, burgundy Back to the roots
red, pink, yellow and deep green and Arrowroot powder, which
brilliant tangerine owers. is used as a thickener in
Tropicanna Black features bold recipes, is made out of the dried
purple-black foliage and scarlet-orange rhizome of Canna edulis.
owers, while Tropicanna Gold has The root can also be eaten
green and gold striped leaves and as a potato substitute. Cut it into
yellow and orange owers. It is chips, coat with oil and bake in
tolerant of wet, poorly drained areas. the oven, or simply steam it or
Grow Tropicanna cannas in full add to soups and casseroles.
sun or part shade.

GARDEN
GYMEA LILY
Also known as Illawarra lily or ame
lily, the Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa)
is one of our most spectacular natives.
Its big, dark-red owers are borne
in spring on stems that reach up to 3m
high with 1.5m long strap-like leaves.
Even when not in ower, a Gymea lily
makes a statement in any garden bed.
POSITION Suitable for coastal regions,
it can be grown in full sun or partial
shade. The owers can be damaged by
frost, but the foliage is not affected.
In the wild,
PLANT Give it well-drained soil Gymea lilies can be
thats enriched with organic matter.
It can be grown in a very large pot. found growing in the
GROW Apply fertiliser in spring and
early summer, and water regularly in
coastal regions of
summer, but dont overwater. south-east Queensland
PROPAGATE It is easily grown from
seed or from suckers found growing at
and northern and
the perimeter of the plant. central NSW
A G ymea li
ly can take
up to ve ye
ars to ow
PICTURE GEOFF BECK
er.

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DEC/JAN 131
TROPICAL
TREATS Blue ginger
Few owers can match
the intensity of the colour
of blue ginger (Dichorisandra
thyrsiora), the blooms of which
nestle among canna-like leaves.
Ornamental gingers are iconic tropical Plant in the shade or in a spot
and subtropical perennials that strut that gets morning sun, cut back
their owers during summer. old stems midwinter and mulch
Some are glamorous relatives of heavily in spring.
edible ginger and come in a variety of Blue ginger reaches a height of
shapes, sizes and colours. Think large 1.7m and can be grown in a large
vibrant leaves, striking architectural pot. It is tolerant of frost to -2C.
forms and amboyant owers.
Heliconia
These tr ue trop
ical pl ants
have remar ka
ble owers
that are upright
or pendulous,
foliage resembl with
ing banana leav
There are man es.
y species and
cultivars of thes
e heat lovers,
theyll grow as and
far south as Br
Water regularl isbane.
y, feed in sprin
with a complet g
e fertiliser and
them protec tio give
n from wind.
Beehive ginger ger

This genus (Zingiber spp.) Shell gin foliage an
d PICTURES (TOP, BOTTOM) CHERYL MADDOCKS (CENTRE) ALAMY
al-looking
Tropic
includes our edible ginger, owers
c-looking
large exoti l
but other species are grown for e beautifu
th e h a ll marks of th t ).
their spectacular owers, which are zeremb u
er ( Alpinia
look like beehives and emerge from shell ging frost-free
in a w rm
a
underneath lush 120cm high foliage. If planted r south as
o t, it w il l grow as fa m
Plant in well-drained soil in sun sp e s about 2
o u rn e. It reach nd
or part shade and dont overwater. M e lb moistu are
ig h a n d li kes lots of m mer.
Cut back old stems in spring h ng and su
u tr ie n ts d uring spri te r.
and feed with a high potassium n late w in
u t b a ck o ld stems in
complete fertiliser. They will survive C
extreme heat and light frosts.

GARDEN
Hedychium
This genus is
part of the gi
family (Zingi nger
beraceae). W
ginger lily ( hite
Hed ychium
has large pe coronarium
rfumed ow )
Hedychium ers.
likes semi-sh
sun. Cut back ade or
old stems in
and feed wit late winter
h a complet
e fertiliser.
Avoid kahili
ginger (Hed
gardnerianum ychium
Torch ginger ), an environm
weed in nort ental
The dazzling red owers h NSW and Q
ueensland.
of torch ginger (Etlingera
elatior) look similar to waratahs.
Cultivars are available in
shades of pink or white and shine
among attractive dark-green
tropical-looking foliage.
These tall heat-loving gingers
grow from 2-5m high and are only e
of torch ginger ar
suited to tropical and sub-tropical The ower buds M al ay
PICTURES ALAMY
ingredient in
climates. They like rich, moist an indispensable es e an d
mbo of Chin
soil and partial shade. and Nyonya (a co to sp ic e
and are used
Malay) cuisines d di sh es .
and seafoo
up curries, laksa the buds, which
Thai people use
xidants and have
6KDUH\RXUIDYRXULWHRZHUSKRWR are high in antio
antibacterial prop
er ties, in salads
.
Post a pic to Instagram and tag @HandymanMagazine

Whats on this February
FREE Adult D.I.Y. Workshops
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 Saturday 20 and Sunday 21
HOME ORGANISATION BASIC SKILLS
Find out how to get your place sorted Learn simple workshop techniques and tool skills
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 Saturday 27 and Sunday 28

KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY WINDOWS AND DOORS
Get advice on your next renovation Well help you choose the right style for your home
Our workshops are held every weekend at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. For specic topics, ask instore or go to bunnings.com.au. If you
live in South Australia, speak to a team member or visit bunnings.com.au for details about our great one-on-one D.I.Y. workshops.
These workshops run from 10am to 4pm each Saturday and Sunday.
FREE Kids D.I.Y. Workshops

Saturday 6 Saturday 27
ART CLASS FUN MOSAICS
Learn fun techniques with paint Design a masterpiece with bright mosaics
Sunday 7 Sunday 28
CRAFT DRESS-UPS
Come in and have some fun getting crafty Have fun making a costume with different materials
Saturday 13
GAME MAKERS
Create an awesome game to play with friends
Sunday 14
VALENTINES DAY
Make something special for someone close
Saturday 20
DECORATOR
Learn different decorating techniques
Sunday 21
WALL ART
Create a masterpiece to hang at home
For more information on other instore events

or to book, visit bunnings.com.au/yourstore
GARDEN
POP QUIZ!
flower Test your knowledge of plants by

trying to identify these garden
favourites. Youll nd the answers
at the bottom of the page.
PICTURES ISTOCK (BACKGROUND) THINKSTOCK

ANSWERS (1) TULIP (2) POPPY (3) POINSETTIA (4) CHINESE LANTERN (5) ROSE (6) ZINNIA (7) LILY (8) COLUMBINE

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